Students of Palwal school too go on hunger strike

FARIDABAD: Inspired by the success of students in Rewari who went on hunger strike and forced the state government to announce upgradation of their school, the students of a village in Palwal district locked their school and sat on hunger strike outside the school on Friday, to press for similar demand.

The students, mostly girls of Government High School Selothi in Palwal district, locked the school premises and sat on hunger strike. Parents of some of the students also joined them. The condition of four girl students deteriorated due to severe heat and a team of doctors rushed to the spot. Some of them were put on glucose at the protest site.

Demanding upgradation of their school to plus two, the agitating students said that the two schools with this facility near their village are situated four kilometers away.

“As our demand was not met , we decided to go on a hunger strike,” said Asha, who passed 10th class from this school.

“It is difficult to travel four kilometers in rural area to study further without any proper transportation facility,” she said. “I am proud to have gone on hunger strike but had to be hospitalised,” said Muskan, an 8th class student. “There are 300 students in this school and as per norms the combined strength of 9th and 10th class students should be 150 students to qualify for upgradation to plus two. However, the present strength is 102, a shortfall of 48,” said Nafe Singh, headmaster of the school.As the condition of some girls deteriorated, senior education officers, including district education officer Palwal Anil Sharma, rushed to the school and assured demand will be addressed at the earliest.