Students moved from one school branch to another, parents protest

LUDHIANA: About 400 students of Guru Nanak Public School (GNPS), Birmi, have been moved to the Model Town Extension branch without parents being informed or consulted, it has been alleged.

More than a 100 parents gathered at 9 am to protest against the move outside the school at Model Town Extension on Monday, alleging that no prior notice had been issued to them and that they were informed about the move when they went to deposit the school fee.

The parents continued protesting even as the principal, Mona Singh, invited five representatives from among them for a talk. They consented to come inside and speak to her later only after the police were called in at 1 pm. Mona Singh reportedly assured them that the Birmi school would not be closed.

“The school authorities should have informed the parents in March about their decision to close down the Birmi Branch as no institute affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education will admit our children should we decide to transfer them anywhere,” said Dapinder Singh, a parent of two children in Class 3 and 8.

A resident of Ayali Kalan, Dapinder Singh said the Model Town Extension branch was located far from their residence and it would be very difficult to pick up and drop the children.

Ramandeep Kaur, the sarpanch of Purain, a village close by, said, “15 children from our children were studying in GNPS Birmi for quite some time and no intimation was given to their parents to move them.”adding that it was up to parents to decide where their children studied.

Later, Mona Singh, said, “We have not informed the parents regarding closure of the Birmi branch and it is only a rumour.