Students protest school head terms allegations baseless
Suhail Khan
SOPORE, Aug 1: Students of Government Middle School Sopore on Monday protested after alleging that they were being forced to clean the classrooms, fill drinking water from hand pumps and perform other tedious jobs otherwise meant for peons or sweepers of the school.
These students hit the streets to register a protest against teachers allegedly for forcing them to work at school. What’s shocking is that the protesting students alleged that they were put to physical labour for a long time now on the instruction of the school headmistress.
“The protesting students alleged that the teachers posted in the school never even extended any help to open the lunch boxes of kids and not talk of imparting quality education. They are snatching our right to education. Is this because we are enrolled in a Government run school,” the protesting students asked.
These students alleged that the teachers not only force them to do physical labour but also warn them of dire consequences in case parents are informed about this malpractice. “It is ironic that a government-run institute is found forcing students to work like labourers only to justify it as a measure to address its staff shortage,” said one of the parents while talking to Kashmir Despatch.
Another parent said that if there are sweepers deputed for this job in the educational institutions then why are students being forced to clean the classrooms. “Such incidents are very shocking and higher authorities of education should take note of this malpractice.”
Headmistress of the school Rifat Akhter termed these allegations as baseless, and said she is ready to give clarification to the higher ups when asked by the school education department. Zonal Educational Officer Sopore (ZEO) Abdul Salam Dar told Kashmir Despatch that a complaint has been received from the students and if anyone is found guilty, stern action will be taken by the department.
Meanwhile Chief Education officer Baramulla Ghulam Mohammad when contacted told Kashmir Despatch that he will seek a report and will definitely look into it. “If teachers are found guilty they will be dealt with strictly.”
