Nuapada: The parents of school students of the district on Thursday demanded reopening of the primary schools even as School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said the state government has not taken any decision in this regard.
Speaking at a press meet, here, the members of the District Parents Association, Nuapada said the government decision to open the upper primary and high schools while keeping the primary schools closed shows its indifference to the education of the children.
They pointed out that the government’s ground of COVID-19 pandemic for keeping the primary schools closed reflects its incompetence and indifference. It will be difficult to send the children, who are turning away from studies due to prolonged holidays, to schools, they added.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, convener of Satya Nistha Adarsh School Keshab Behera said, “The government has opened markets, liquor shops, hotels and allowed marriage and other social functions on the ground that spread of the pandemic has come down. But why primary schools remain closed is beyond our comprehension.”
Stating that the government’s lopsided decision has pushed the future of innocent children into darkness, he said, “It is a blatant violation of the children’s Right to Education.”
Meanwhile, the minister said different departments concerned with primary education have submitted their proposals. But no decision has been taken for reopening the schools, he added.
