Ujjain School Relocation Row: Girls Protest Against Shifting Sarafa School
In the city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, a heated controversy has erupted over the proposed relocation of Government Sarafa School to the village of Daudkhedi, located 8 kilometers away from its current location. Over 300 girl students of the school staged a protest at the Administrative Complex Building in the Collectorate on Friday afternoon, demanding that the administration reconsider the decision.
A Plea to Save Education
The students, accompanied by their parents, raised slogans and displayed their frustration against the proposed shifting. Two students fainted during the protest, and one student broke down in tears, appealing to the administration not to ruin their future. The students’ concerns are not just about the relocation itself but also about the impact it will have on their education.
A Long-Standing Issue
The proposed relocation is part of a larger plan to shift around 2,500-2,600 students from six government schools in the vicinity of the Mahakaleshwar Temple to Daudkhedi village. The students, parents, and teachers have been fighting against this decision for months, citing concerns about safety, transportation, and the daily commute to the new location. The affected schools include Government Sarafa Girls School, Girls Middle School at Mahakal Maidan, Maharajwada, CM Rise, Nutan, and Madhavendra schools.
Safety and Transportation Concerns
Parents are worried about the presence of a liquor shop and the unsafe environment at the proposed location. They are also concerned about how students will travel from areas 25-30 kilometers away, as there are no reliable public transportation options available. The students themselves are worried about the long distances they will have to travel and the potential risks involved.
Administration’s Response
Joint Collector Sandeep Singh tried to persuade the protesting students, but they remained adamant. The students demanded that the Collector come and assure them that their concerns would be addressed. However, the administration has maintained that the proposal is a government decision, and the district-level monitoring committee will take the final decision.
Support from Local Leaders
The protest has received support from local leaders, including District Congress Committee president and MLA Mahesh Parmar, City Congress Committee president Mukesh Bhati, and several other party functionaries. They have announced their full support for the cause and have vowed to fight against the proposed relocation.
A Fight for Education
The students, parents, and teachers of Government Sarafa School are fighting for their right to education. They are determined to protect their school and ensure that their educational rights are not taken away. As one student put it, “We are from poor families, and we cannot manage to travel to this distant place. It looks as if the administration wanted to take away our educational rights. If they don’t solve the issue, we may be forced to commit suicide.”
The fate of Government Sarafa School and the thousands of students who depend on it hangs in the balance. As the controversy continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the students, parents, and teachers of Ujjain will not give up without a fight.