Cops shoo away kids at zoo
In the aftermath of the death of three-year-old Nama Shiva Rachith, the department of education has cracked down on Bachpan Playschool, Malkajgiri, for not abiding by the rules and safety norms laid down by the government. A ninefoot deep water sump was left uncovered despite it being located dangerously close to the children’s play area.
The Playschool has been sealed and shut down by the District Education Officer (DEO), and its license has been cancelled.
Medchal DEO A. Usha Rani said, “The decision was taken after reading the report submitted to me by the Mandal Education Officer (MEO). It indicated gross negligence on the part of the school authorities. The callous attitude of the school in registering the child’s absence is worrying. Therefore, it cannot function as a Playschool any longer as children will be at risk.”
The school reportedly had about 200 students. Worried parents are demanding that alternate arrangements be made for their wards.
Ms Sangeeta Surinder, a parent, says, “It is nearly December; more than half the academic year is over. The annual fee, including transport, was almost `50,000, and there is no talk of a refund.”
Some parents say that they had to pay donations to secure admission, and they will have to do so once more for some other Playschool to accept their children mid-academic year.
“The school only had pre-primary students. Since pre-primary students do not follow an official syllabus, they can surely get admission elsewhere. The government is not organising any alternative,” said Ms Usha Rani.
An official from the school said that if the government authorities found that the school was at fault, they were willing to bear the punishment.
Earlier this week, the principal, the security in-charge and the counsellor of the school were arrested for negligence.
Parents associations have decided to submit a representation seeking a safety audit of schools. The zoo is a popular recreational spot for children, especially on Children’s Day. Every year, children are granted free entry to the zoo on November 14.
This year, the nearly 8,000 children who showed up at Nehru Zoological Park to celebrate Children’s Day were in for a rude shock when the security staff at the main gate demanded entry fees and then proceeded to shoo them away with sticks.
The official spokesperson of the zoo said, “Many children tried entering through the back gate without buying a ticket. I believe they came empty-handed because they were expecting free entry, and they did not want to leave. Many children tried to enter without a ticket through the front gate as well. They began pleading with the ticket officials and so our security staff chased them away.”
Zoo officials say that no injury was reported, however, a lot of children had to return disappointed after being denied entry into the zoo. The ticket fee was `20.
Children under the age of 12 were granted free entry to the Indira Gandhi Zoo in Vizag on the occasion of Children’s Day.