The government primary school at Kiskon-Paddi village saw only two students turning up on day one of the school reopening.
Photo Credits: The Goan
MARGAO
The Government Primary School at Kiskon-Paddi village in Quepem taluka played host to just two students on the first day of the school re-opening on Wednesday.
Reason: Parents of the remaining children have refused to send their wards to the school, executing their threat that their children will boycott the classes if the school is not shifted to a new premises.
In fact, the agitated parents have told the media that they will teach their wards online or look out for other options, but under no circumstances will they send them to the government primary school.
The agitated parents are sore that the school building is not maintained properly. That’s not all. They have further stated that the government has installed a mobile tower in the school complex, thus denying them a place for recreation and sports.
When the school reopened on Wednesday, only two schoolchildren were seen seated in the class with as many teachers.
The villagers have given an option to the government to shift the primary school to an alternate site offered by the villagers. A villager, Sanjay Velip, told the media that they have all decided not to send their wards to the government primary school building. “We have told the authorities to shift the school to a better environment. Unless that is done, we will not send our children to the GPS Kiskon,” he said.
Another villager told the media that he has offered his premises to house the school in the interest of the safety of the children. “The children have to walk 1–2 km to the school. The new premises will be close to their place of residence. Hope the government will see reason and shift the school to the new premises in the interest of student safety,” he added.
