2 Haryana villages insist on sending kids to school

Deepender Deswal

Hisar, January 24

Upset over the closure of schools and learning loss to students, residents of Dhani Bhojraj and Dhani Sanchla in Fatehabad district have announced the “reopening” of the schools in their villages from tomorrow.

Their decision, however, is in violation of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which is in force in view of the pandemic. The state had earlier this month extended the closure of physical classes till January 26 as part of the Covid-19 restrictions. The two villages have one government school and three private schools. Fifty per cent of the teaching staff members have been coming to schools, as per government order.

Satbir Godara, a resident of Dhani Bhojraj, said: “Both villages took a joint decision on the reopening of the schools. We have requested the district administration to cooperate with us. When political activities and rallies can be organised in poll-bound states then why should students not attend schools?”

“We shall send our children to school tomorrow and will stage a dharna if the authorities oppose our move,” said Balwan Lamboria after participating in the villagers’ meeting on the issue in Dhani Sanchla today.

Dhani Sanchla sarpanch Sadhu Ram said he had assured the villagers that he would take up the matter with the district authorities. “Undoubtedly, the closure of schools has harmed the studies of the students,” he maintained.

Fatehabad SP Surinder Singh Bhoria, however, said action would be taken if there is violation of Covid norms. “The matter pertains to the Education Department and the villagers have no role in the reopening and functioning of the schools,” he said.

District Education Officer, Fatehabad, Dayanand Sihag said there were no orders for the reopening of schools from the state government. “I am not aware of the decision of the villagers on reopening of schools,” he said.