Parents Stage Dharna Against School Admission In July In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The members of Odisha Abhibhabak Mahasangh on Tuesday staged a dharna near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi Park here, in protest against the decision of the state government to complete admission process before reopening of schools.

The Mahasangh (school students’ parents association) suspected that the state government might have ulterior intention to conduct the admission even as the coronavirus continues to spread.

“The School and Mass Education Department’s permission for the admission will only help the private English medium schools collect the arrear tuition fees. If the department does not withdraw its order, we will launch a statewide agitation,” said co-chairman of the Mahasangh, Prasanna Bisoi.

All the schools have remained closed due to COVID-19 till July 31 as per the government order.

In his response to the allegation of the Mahasangh, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said he failed to understand why the Mahasangh was trying to associate his department with the private schools.

“Our main objective is to conduct the admission of the students in a phased manner with strict adherence to COVID guidelines. My department has asked the school authorities to complete the admission by July 15. As far as the allegation of the Mahasangh is concerned, I think it might have its own agenda on the issue,” the minister said.