Instead of attending classes, students prune shrubs in school

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 10

Students of Government High School, Daun Kalan, were directed to work on school grounds under scorching  heat on Tuesday. Sources informed this was not the first time that the students sat in the playgrounds and cut overgrown weeds, instead of attending classes.

School authorities said the students were directed to clear excessive growth of shrubs in the ground in view of upcoming zonal-level games to be held at the school. Azad Singh Brar, Principal of the school said: “The shrubs on the school ground have grown wild during the rainy season. Yesterday, a committee meeting was held to hold zonal-level tournaments. The committee decided that the games could be held at our school as the school has enough room to hold the tournament.”

The school also does not have a gardener or a security guard. When questioned about the same, the principal said: “The school premises is big and the work of clearing the shrubs cannot be done by a gardener alone. We do not have any gardener to depend on for this work.”

Kanwal Kumari, District Education officer (DEO) was unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts to contact her.