Children of a lesser cut

[ajtr]

Children of a lesser cut

CRUDE TREATMENT: Children whose hair was cut for RTE identity in their school in Bangalore on Tuesday. Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Four children have been forced to attend their school here in humiliation after the private institution allegedly cut off tufts of hair on top of their heads. This was done to reportedly distinguish these children, admitted under the Right to Education (RTE) quota, from other students. This shocking fact was disclosed here on Tuesday.

According to the parents of these children, all in standard I in the school at Nandini Layout, the children admitted under the RTE quota are made to stand separately during the assembly and their lunch boxes are checked before they enter their class. They allege that the names of their wards have not been entered in the attendance register. The school reportedly makes them sit in the back benches and they are not given any homework.

Incidentally, this school is part of the Karnataka Unaided School Managements’ Association (KUSMA) that is vehemently opposed to implementation of the RTE quota of 25 per cent in city schools. Several schools under KUSMA, including this one, remained closed for the second day as part of the association’s weeklong protest against implementation of the RTE.

Tulasi said she was shocked on seeing her daughter’s hair when she returned from school on Friday evening. “We went to the school to enquire why our children were treated this way. However, the school had no convincing response,” she said.

Nayaz Pasha, another parent, said the management claimed that other children might have cut off their children’s hair. “When we asked them why our children were not given neckties or belts, like the other children, the teachers asked us to raise these issues at the monthly parent-teacher meeting. However, over the past one-and-half-months, we have not been called for any meeting,” he claimed.

The former Karnataka Minister, B.T. Lalita Naik, told The Hindu that the private school was perpetuating a new form of untouchability by cutting off the students’ hair. “This is inhuman, and children are being traumatised. It is clear that these private schools do not want children from poor and backward communities. There is no equality in education imparted in these schools.”

Ms. Naik said a few progressive leaders had submitted a complaint against the school to Tushar Girinath, State Project Director of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. It would be forwarded to Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Vishweswara Hegde Kageri. “We were told that Mr. Girinath has sought the school’s response within 15 days.”

M. Gopalakrishna, Block Education Officer, North 1 division, said the jurisdictional Deputy Director of Public Instruction received a complaint from the parents of these children on this incident, and also a counter complaint from the management about “harassment” by members of a local organisation. The department was not able to investigate the matter as the school was closed as part of the weeklong protest.

Kumar G. Nayak, Principal Secretary, Department of Education, maintained that if the incident had taken place, it was a violation of the RTE. “The RTE clearly states that children admitted under quota should not be discriminated against. We will initiate action after an enquiry...”

Though the school was not available for comments, A. Mariyappa, KUSMA secretary, responded: “If it is true, it is wrong. Schools should not discriminate against the children. We will enquire into the issue. If it is true, we will initiate action against the school management, even though they are members of our association.”

 

[Splurgenxs]

Incidentally, this school is part of the Karnataka Unaided School Managements’ Association (KUSMA) that is vehemently opposed to implementation of the RTE quota of 25 per cent in city schools.

Says it all...these shits think they can survive by protesting this way? ostracizing such lovely kids?

These KUSMA twats need there a$$es whooped good.

 

[ajtr]

I think Govt must revoke their recognition and licence.

 

[AHMED85]

Dont behave like this on this cute force. If they come in function than they will make you Absence. Even in ???

 

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Protests against Bangalore school after charge of discrimination

Bangalore: Bangalore's Oxford School, which is facing serious allegations of discrimination against children admitted under the Right to Education act, saw huge protests by political and other groups outside its premises on Thursday.

Some parents have alleged that some of the children have had locks cut out of their hair. A Dalit organisation alleges this was done by the school to mark out children who were admitted under the RTE quota.

But was the hair of these young children actually cut by the school to differentiate them from other students, or was it a schoolyard prank? The children say their hair was cut by a schoolmate, but many are certain that it is just part of a wider discrimination against children from poorer families who enter private schools that were earlier out of reach. The issue is now snowballing.

"This is highly discriminatory. So our protest is that we want the Government to act immediately. Take very strict action against these kinds of institutions. And also there should be a warning that any other school that indulges in such acts where they treat our poor children badly or where they threaten and blackmail by closing the schools. We will go in front of all those schools, we will agitate and we will ensure they implement this act," said Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao.

The issue may be taking political overtones, but the allegations of discrimination were serious enough for the state government to set an inquiry into motion.

"It is not permitted in any way to make any discrimination, therefore, I request all the managements to follow the Government rule and the social responsibility is also there to give the proper education to economically, socially backward students. If they have not bound to our requests then definitely I am here to take severe action on these managements," said Vishweshwar Kageri, Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister.

The school in question had, in fact, been closed since Monday as part of a protest by the Karnataka Unaided Schools Management Association over what they said was lack of clarity in the RTE act. The schools opened again on Thursday - under pressure from the government.

The Right to Education or RTE Act aims to give all children a fair chance of a good education. Private schools, except minority schools, are required to reserve 25 per cent of their seats for children from economically disadvantaged families. The Act, expectedly, has been resisted by several schools which possibly see a reduction in fee collection.

The truth behind the incident in Oxford School is still being investigated. But what is happening in Bangalore once again raises questions - is our education system really inclusive and is the Right to Education Act being implemented in a way that makes sure that children from all backgrounds really get an equal chance?