Parents ignore strike call, take kids to schools that stayed open
Times of India | 29 August 2024
Kolkata: Schools that stayed open on Wednesday saw a low turnout with the institutes leaving it to parents to decide on whether to send their wards. But those who did so were clear about one thing: they wanted justice for the RG Kar victim but didn’t feel calling a bandh was not the solution.
Schools like South Point, Loreto House and Frank Anthony Public School were open but student attendance was low.Ram Mohan Mission had suspended classes but the school late decided to call students from class VIII to XII. Principal Sujoy Biswas said: “We changed our decision after getting assurance from the state govt. Though the school was open, more than 80% of students were absent.”
Frank Anthony Public School principal Ian Myers said: “We had a normal class schedule but the attendance was low, though better than Tuesday. We allowed parents to take the call because we didn’t want to put pressure on them regarding attendance.”
A number of schools in Howrah were shut after Tuesday’s violence. Asian International School principal Simran Sanhera said: “We had to call off classes as we didn’t want to take any risk. Our mid-term exams will start shortly, so we decided to work on Saturdays to make up for this day loss.”
TOI interacted with parents and students at some city schools who stated that bandh was not the proper way to protest. Sanchari Paul, a parent of a primary student, said: “Bandh is not the solution. We all want justice, but that doesn’t mean we have to call a bandh. Schools should not stop otherwise, where will these kids learn to raise their voices?”
Aritra Saha, a class V student of South Point school, said very few of his friends had turned up. Sumita Saha, a parent, said, “I, along with my two sons, came from Garia. I left home a little early but did not face any trouble getting a train or an auto.” Soumita Haldar, another parent, added: “The pool car had refused to ply today. So I had to bring my child to school as we didn’t want her to miss the class.” All the state-run schools were open but the number of attendees was very low.