School being run from Nabha jail premises

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 17

Over 300 students of a Government Primary School are regularly “exposed to dreaded criminals”. Reason: The classes are held on the premises of the Nabha jail.

Children usually encounter the criminals when they are being ferried in police vans for court hearings. “Exposure to violent people such as these, even as a bystander, can have far-reaching negative impact on children,” said an expert.

A teacher, on the condition of anonymity, said: “We were lucky that the infamous Nabha jailbreak took place on Sunday in 2016 when we were not on the premises. To ensure safety of children, the government should immediately shift us out of here.” Adding to their woes, the school is being run in four makeshift classrooms of tin sheds, which leak during rains. District Education Officer Harinder Kaur said: “Though the school is on the jail premises, it is far from where inmates are lodged. However, I will seek a report from the school staff on possible solutions to end this problem.” Education Minister Pargat Singh could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.