Even as schools have reopened in several Covid-free zones in rural Maharashtra since mid-July, students in several tribal villages in Palghar district are facing the “unavoidable punishment” of having to travel long distances, navigating dangerous roads, seasonal rivers, treacherous weather, and snakebite fear, to reach school daily.

According to the Right to Education (RTE) Act, neighbourhood schools must be within a one kilometre radius for children between Classes I and V, and 3 km for children studying in Classes VI-VIII. However, the Act does not mandate defined limits of neighbourhood schools for children studying in classes IX and above.