‘Islamia’ school made SoE, co-ed; shifting divides students, parents

Ludhiana, August 3

The Government Senior Secondary School, Division 3, also known as Islamia school, is going to be shifted to a new building at Kidwai Nagar. Besides, the school has also been named a School of Eminence (SoE). However, some parents are not pleased with the decision because it had been an all-girls school and with it becoming an SoE, the school would have to enrol boys as well. Reportedly, these parents are reluctant to send their daughters to a co-ed school. Secondly, students coming from near Tibba road would have to change conveyance twice to reach the new building.

Talking to The Tribune, Nazima (name changed), a Class X student, said her father would never allow her to study in a co-ed school. “Ours is a conservative family. I am scared that I won’t be able to study further if the school is shifted and boys get enrolled. If the state government wants to come up with an SoE, it should start a new school in Kidwai Nagar, why is our school being shifted?” Nazima questioned.

Concurrently, some students are all too excited to move to the new building for they find the old structure too crowded.

There are over 537 students of which 26 are boys, who were admitted this year in classes IX and XI under the SoE programme. The school was started in 1968. As many as 60-70 students belong to a particular community, most of whom are reluctant to study with boys.

Ranjit Kaur, principal, said, “It is the government’s decision and they are the best to decide if the school is to be shifted or the old building is to be reconstructed.”

DEO Dimple Madan said the new school building would be inaugurated soon as it was ready. “We are waiting for the government’s orders on inauguration,” she added.