Pvt schools shuttered for day in Karnal

In a show of solidarity following the brutal murder of a principal by students of a private school in Hisar, private schools of Karnal observed a symbolic daylong shutdown on Wednesday. The protest aimed to express outrage over the shocking incident, and demand stronger legal protection for teachers.

Under the banner of the Karnal Independent Schools’ Association (KISA), representatives of all 162 CBSE-affiliated private schools, along with schools affiliated with the state board and the ICSE, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister via Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh.

Speaking on behalf of the association, KISA general secretary Kuljinder Mohan Singh Bath condemned the Hisar incident, calling it “deeply disturbing and unacceptable”.

“This is a cause of concern not just for educators, but for society as a whole. When a student takes the life of his teacher, it shows that our education system is deviating from its fundamental purpose. We must introspect and take corrective action,” Bath added.

The memorandum demanded the immediate drafting and implementation of a teacher protection law.

He said current laws had tied the hands of educators, making it difficult for them to discipline students effectively.

“Social media and excessive freedom given to children has affected discipline. When teachers attempt corrective measures, they are often targeted by parents and society,” he added. Protesting teachers and representatives of management of various schools clarified that Wednesday’s school closure was symbolic, and meant to highlight the seriousness of the issue.

They said the association was confident that the CM and the Education Minister would take the matter seriously.

Meanwhile, members of the Private School Association of Panipat on Wednesday expressed anger over the murder of a school principal in Bas village of Hisar by closing all private schools in the district. The association held a protest near the Mini-Secretariat here. The protesting members submitted a memorandum of demands to the Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner.