TURA: Not a single class could be conducted in a Tura school since the last 45 days following the district administration’s decision to store the electronic voting machines (EVM) there.
The Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Tura, one of the oldest schools in Garo Hills, has not been able to function since the electoral process began. The closure has deprived the students of their regular classes, affecting their studies.
Expressing concern over the plight of the students the Mothers’ Union, Tura, said that the situation amounted to violation of the right to free and fair education under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2008.
President of the union Indira A Sangma said that the standing orders of the Supreme Court in respect to use of the services of teachers and educational institutions for the election purpose have also been blatantly disregarded.
She said that the idea of having classes at the alternative location of SMELC building in Dakopgre, Tura as mooted by the authorities was also unviable since transport facilities were not provided to the students to travel to the site which was five kilometers from the school premises.
Besides, funds were not made available to transport, furniture, teaching aids etc., to the proposed location.
“With board exams for classes IX and XI scheduled for November-December and that of classes X and XII set for February-March the future of the students have become uncertain in the absence of the conduct of proper classes,” she said.
Surprisingly, the Mothers’ Union president also blamed the extended closure of the school for recent instances of cult worship and unearthing of sex racket in Garo Hills.
With the counting of votes for the elections just round the corner the Union leader acknowledged that it was now too late for any action on the part of concerned authorities.
