Many parents are opposed to week-long holidays for schools as proposed by Joint Action Committee led by the APNGOs Association, which included closure of educational institutes from September 23 to intensify the Samaikyandhra agitation in the State.
Government schools have been functioning partially in Srikakulam district with the participation of a majority of teachers in the united AP agitation. Private schools in the district observed one-week closure last week and institutions were closed whenever general strike was observed with the call given by Samaikyandhra activists.
According to parents, closure of the schools would not benefit the agitation since the children cannot understand complicated political issues. “Students have already missed classes for more than 15 days last month with official and unofficial bandhs. School managements will have to conduct extra classes even on Sundays putting a heavy burden on them. So, it is better to exempt schoolchildren from the agitation,” said K.Sridevi, a parent of Suryanagar.
“We request Samaikyandhra leaders to understand the problems of the students and allow functioning of schools as usual,” V. Santosh, another parent, said. The school managements reluctantly agreed for the proposal fearing attacks on educational institutions. Many of them urged APNGOs leaders to review their decision.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Communications and Technology Killi Kruparani faced the ire of agitators at Visakhapatnam airport.