The education department has begun to crack its whip on the schools which are not following the Ditrict Magistrate’s (DM) order on timings of primary schools.
In the wake of cold wave like conditions the DM of Dehradun, Ravi Nath Raman had instructed the schools to open after 9 am only so that the children are spared from the cold ordeal of early morning. However, his orders were given scant regard by most of the private schools and they continued to stick to their original time table.
The Pioneer in its edition of January 23 had published a report which mentioned the open defiance many private schools exhibited of the order of the DM. Following the report the education department swung into action and its officers led by Chief Education Officer (CEO) S P Khali visited the offending schools on Saturday and Monday and warned them for defying the order.
The CEO reportedly threatened many schools that their recognition would be cancelled if they do not follow the orders. Following the action many schools of the city have fallen in line and asked the primary students to come after 9 am.
The Khali said that he himself visited many schools and found that Jaswant Modern School located on Rajpur road is not following the order on changed timings. The management of the school was warned by CEO.
He said that the department would take stern action on the schools that are found not following the instruction. He added that the department officers would keep a strict eye on the schools which are not following the order which is given to protect the children from cold.
The parents of the primary school children are relieved by the change in school timing enforced by the order of DM. “It is a big relief! The normal time of the school of my son is 8 am and his school bus arrives at about 7.15 am. Small children are exposed to extreme cold of early morning. I appreciate the gesture of district administration for giving this relief. I believe the schools should themselves take such initiatives for the benefit of students,’’ said mother of a class III student.