Students of about 50 schools and colleges in the city have got impromptu holidays for four days from Wednesday, thanks to the National Women’s Parliament.
A statement released by Krishna District Education Officer (DEO) Subba Reddy said since the girl students attending the programme would be accommodated in these schools and colleges, these institutions would remain closed for four days.
“We have selected schools which have their own buses which can be used to transport the delegates to the venue. Of the 50 institutions, 26 schools will serve as accommodation for girl students coming from other places, 12 for police personnel, 11 for sanitary staff and one for self-help group members,” said the DEO.
But the decision has not gone down well with teachers, parents and leaders of the teachers’ unions who feel that this practice of closing down educational institutions to promote government programmes will adversely affect the students’ academic performance.
“Same was the story during 12-day-long Krishna Pushkaram when all schools and colleges were closed for the convenience of the pilgrims, the police forces posted on duties and other sections. Be it any rally, run or workshop, students and teachers are first casualties at the cost of their academic performance,” said Babu Reddy, Andhra Pradesh State general secretary of United Teachers’ Federation.
‘Misuse of power’
The organisers of NWP are expecting 10,000-odd delegates from all corners of the country.
“There is nothing wrong in conducting programmes that are beneficial to students in schools. But children are being put to heavy inconvenience by mobilising them to State-sponsored programmes that don’t have much to do with them. Using them to fill open grounds and auditoriums is not a good thing,” said Sudheer, State general secretary of the State Teachers’ Union.
“The government is resorting to ‘misuse of power’ by pulling school and college children out of their classrooms at the drop of a hat. The government should evolve its own ways to promote its events and schemes. Officials should understand this and leave the children alone. I am sure the school managements will now ask the children to attend classes on Sundays and other holidays to make up for the lost time,” says Tanvi, mother of a seventh class girl.
