Government school pupils brave nail-biting chill during rehearsals

Jalandhar, January 24

While the mercury remained as low as 6°C here today, students of several government schools were made to rehearse in half-sleeve shirts for Republic Day function in the open grounds of Guru Gobind Singh Stadium.

Students, mostly from middle classes, braved the extreme weather conditions as they performed exercises without wearing any woollens. While officials and organisers remained huddled in jackets, long coats and shawls, children were made to remove their pullovers for the full dress rehearsal.

Several girls and boys from government schools wore just white half cotton shirts with no warm, protective layering or thermals. Most of these students were from middle classes. It seemed ironical as the government on one hand recently extended winter holidays in schools to protect students from cold weather, while on the other they were being exposed to harsh weather.

Dance group in charges from private colleges ensured full-arm dresses for students. A government school teacher said: “We need to devise a new mechanism to ensure that children doing PT, exercises and other shows get to wear woollen sports wears on R-Day”.

Children exposed to harsh weather

It seemed ironical as the government on one hand recently extended winter holidays in schools to protect students from cold weather, while on the other they were being exposed to harsh weather.