Allow schools to function on alternate days: Panel

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 13

Most of the private schools in Ambala are still functioning in spite of orders from the state government to keep these closed till April 30. Kulbhushan Sharma, president of the Federation of Private Schools’ Welfare Association, told this to the media here today.

“The state government has closed schools, but not hotels and malls. Even curfew has been imposed for the night. Elections are taking place in Assam and West Bengal, and lakhs of people are participating in Kumbh Mela. Why only schools have been closed?” he asked.

Sharma pointed out the state government had announced a Rs 20,000-crore package, but no relief had been given to private schools. “When the lockdown was imposed last year, a maths teacher had to sell vegetables and another had to get enrolled under the MGNREGA. School bus drivers started working in fields. In light of the recent order, several teachers, drivers and other staff could lose their jobs once again.”

“School owners were not consulted. I want to tell Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Education Minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar that we don’t want any confrontation. We are just a call away. The government should allow us to conduct classes on alternate days,” Sharma added.