Doddaballapur
In a disturbing revelation, students of a government school in Kodigehalli village near Doddaballapur have highlighted severe safety risks and long-standing neglect affecting their education and well-being. The students expressed their grievances during a children’s rights village assembly, drawing attention to alarming conditions both inside and outside the school premises.
According to the students, unidentified individuals frequently consume alcohol and smoke inside the school rooms after hours, leaving behind liquor bottles and cigarette waste. When students return to school, broken glass shards are found scattered on classroom floors, often injuring their feet. The children also complained that tobacco products are openly sold near the school, creating an unsafe and unhealthy environment.
The issue was raised at the children’s rights village assembly organised in collaboration with the Gram Panchayat, Yuva Sanchalana Charitable Trust, and CMCA. During the meeting, students made an emotional appeal to Gram Panchayat officials to intervene immediately and stop the chaos prevailing in the school premises and classrooms.
Beyond safety concerns, the students listed several infrastructural and academic shortcomings. They stated that there is no cleanliness around the school campus and that stones are often thrown at school windows from outside during class hours, causing fear among children and teachers alike. They also pointed out that the school has not received the Social Science Part-2 textbook, affecting their studies.
The lack of basic amenities has further worsened conditions. Students reported the absence of a playground, damaged or missing school fencing, unclean toilets, broken classroom doors, and a shortage of essential teaching staff. According to them, there are no teachers for physical education and Hindi, depriving students of holistic learning and language education. Additionally, the absence of school vehicles has caused difficulties for students commuting from nearby areas.
Parents and villagers who attended the assembly expressed concern over the situation and urged authorities to prioritise children’s safety and education. Gram Panchayat representatives assured the students that their complaints would be taken seriously and forwarded to the concerned education and administrative departments.
The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action to ensure safe, clean, and supportive learning environments in government schools, especially in rural areas.
