'School wants to make money to repay bus loan'

Say parents, who plan a protest today

Say parents, who plan a protest today

It could have matched the brutal standards of any prison drill. Braving the scorching noon sun for about two hours is no child's play. But on Wednesday, about 300 girls between the age of six and 10 years studying in the reputed Vidya Bhawan Girls Secondary School at Rajinder Nagar in central Delhi, were allegedly forced by the school authorities to stand in the sun. Their fault: they allegedly hadn't given in to the school's pressure to shift from private vans to school-run buses.

Parents allege harassment

Concentration camp: Vidya Bhawan School

Parents of these children alleged the school is harassing them. "A week ago the school authorities called, asking us to stop using private vans. But the school buses stop a little far away from our houses while the vans pick and drop children from doorsteps. Their service is very convenient," said a parent, wishing anonymity. Parents said Wednesday's drama started around 7 am when the students alighted from the mini-vans.

"The children using vans were identified in the morning. Around 12, the school staff assembled them in the ground. They were made to stand in the sun and allowed to leave the ground only at about 1.30 pm," said another parent, whose daughter was one of those who were harassed.

The parents have decided to protest against the school's action today. About 50 private van drivers too have decided to join them.

Insider's view

According to EP Ganguly, au00a0 former principal of the school, the authorities had taken a loan to purchase around five Swaraj Mazda buses. "The school has bought the buses on loan and unable to pay the EMIs, is harassing students and parents. How can the school make the use of school bus mandatory?" Ganguly asked.u00a0

School says...

The principal of the school was not available for comments despite repeated phone calls. Meanwhile, Babulal Shukla, secretary of the Parents Teachers Association of the school said that none of the parents had approached him till evening. "If someone complains, I will see to it that such laws are done away with," he said.

This seems to be a kind of corporal punishment and has been allegedly done for commercial purposes. A probe should be conducted
Vijender Gupta, president of Delhi Parents Association

If we get a complaint, we will look into the matter
Director (Education), Delhi government, CV Kumar