Parents say no to shutting down school

With the Department of Public Instruction having decided to write to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) board recommending withdrawal of recognition of the school at Marathahalli, where the rape of a six-year-old student was reported, scores of parents seemed anxious about the future of their children’s education.

While parents said that the government could initiate strict action against the school, they said that shutting down the school was not the solution. Bindu Pattaswamy, whose two children study in the school, said, “The government needs to think this through carefully. Shutting the school would jeopardise the future of over 3,000 children studying in the school,” she said, adding that it was particularly crucial for students who were in class ten and twelve.

Rumours were also rife that several parents had begun looking for other schools in their area to admit their children. Responding to the concerns of parents, Commissioner for Public Instruction Mohammad Mohsin said that it was too premature to talk about getting the school closed. “Whatever action will be taken after enquiry is completed. We will also look at the concerns of parents and also ensure that alternative arrangement is made and they will not be left in the lurch,” he said.

Not to send kids

Meanwhile, parents have decided not to send their children to school until the management initiates a dialogue and addresses their 40-point questions and demands. However, a parent who was part of the core committee said that the school management had not yet given them an appointment in this regard.

Some parents at the protest venue were of the opinion that an FIR had to be filed against the school management for negligence of duty. However, a core committee member, who was leading the protest, said that they did not want to file an FIR against the school.