An action committee of parents has sought an end to the plight of their wards who, they say, are “affected” by the ongoing shift system at Kendriya Vidyalaya, East Hill, Kozhikode.
Thirooli Unnikrishnan, president of the committee, told The Hindu that students of primary classes who travel from faraway places such as Perambra find it difficult to reach the school in time. They have to catch the school bus as early as 4 p.m. Most of them are not able to have breakfast so early and are skipping it. This is leading to serious health issues, Mr. Unnikrishnan said.
Some parents claimed that children were not able to concentrate on the lessons too. The teaching hours have been reduced by one hour because of the shift system. Parents of girl students in secondary and higher secondary classes, meanwhile, are concerned about their safety as they reach home only by 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.
Girls’ plight
The shift system was introduced after the main building, constructed in the 60’s, was deemed unfit by the district administration in October last year.
Right now, there are two shifts: 6.30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for primary classes and 12.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. for classes 6 to 12. There are over 3,000 students in the school now.
Though the parent teacher association had proposed a temporary building on the playground, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghatan (KVS) is yet to approve the suggestion.
The Central Public Works Department had submitted a ₹25.5-crore proposal for a new building, and the KVS is reportedly sitting on it too.
Complaint with panel
“I recently spoke to the Chairperson of the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, who has promised to look into our problems. We will soon file a complaint with the panel.
“Later, a mass petition will be submitted to the Union Minister for Human Resource Development,” Mr. Unnikrishnan said.
If nothing comes of it, the committee will approach the court, he added.
