Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 15: After being shifted from Rajouri town to outside against their wishes, about 75 inmates of Girls Gujjar Hostel, Rajouri are being forced to take admission in a private academy after pulling out from Government schools.
This all is being done in connivance with the District Education authorities Rajouri as the Chief Education Officer has directed the Principal of Govt Girls Higher Secondary School, Rajouri and Headmasters of a Govt High and Middle School in the town to immediately issue Transfer Certificate (TCs) to these children just to facilitate their admission in a Private School at Choudhary Nad, about 4-5 kms away being run by an influential politician.
The poor girls belonging to Gujjar-Bakerwal families, living under below poverty line are given admission in the Gujjar Hostels established by the Government across the State. About 75 inmates are in Govt Girls Gujjar Hostel while nearly 150 in Boys Hostel at Rajouri.
In sheer violation of norms and against the current policy of Education department these hapless children are being asked to shift from Government schools to the private academy, despite the fact that State Education authorities are trying their best to bring reforms in Education system and also encouraging study of children in Govt run schools.
The letter of CEO Rajouri, Altaf Hussain in this regard, in possession of Excelsior clearly exposes the unholy nexus of some people within the system. The CEO in his letter No. CEOR/P&S/2015-16/11162, dated 03-09-15 has clearly directed the Principal of the Girls Higher Secondary Schools and Headmaster of Govt Middle School to issue TCs to the inmates of Girls Gujjar Hostel at the earliest possible and intimate the under signed.
Interestingly, the owner of this private academy, one Shafi Dar has rented out his own building to the Girls Gujjar Hostel recently. Some insiders in the department in connivance with this building and private school owner, killed two birds with one stone. Huge amount of over Rs 50,000 per month will go to him as rent while good amount will come in the form of fee. The parents of the girls also strongly opposed to the decision and also gave in writing to the Hostel Superintendent not to shift the girls to that place because it is about 5 kms away from the town and is not so safe for the girls. The inmates also held protest about a week back but they were not allowed to move away from the Hostel by the authorities.
Hostel Superintendent Riaz-Ul-Haq when contacted said that he was a small employee and has to obey the orders from the top. He said that he has no role in the shifting of the Girls Hostel building to the other place and children from Govt school to private academy. When asked who will pay the fees of the 75 children, Riaz said they have no such provision and moreover, payment of about Rs 400 to 500 fee of each inmate is not possible. He said Rs 50 per day are provided to them for diet of the children which are not sufficient. Apart from this Rs 1500 are provided per year for uniform, books, stationary, school bag and shoes etc. So, the question of payment of fee to private school does not arise. Moreover, if there is some decision or understanding was there at higher level, he was not aware.
Mr Riaz also disclosed that some parents of the girls had come to him and they gave representation not to shift this building from city to outside and children to private school. Their representation was sent to the secretary of State Advisory Board for the Development of Gujjars and Bakerwals. He said that children from 6th to 12th live in the Girls Hostel here and new building was ahead of Degree college at Choudhary Nad. Despite repeated calls the contact with the Secretary of the Gujjar-Bakerwal Board, Latief Poswal could not be established.
Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar however, said that he was not aware of this development. He said the poor children are given admissions in Gujjar hostels. Moreover, the move to shift these children from Govt School to private academy is unfortunate. Mr Naeem said he will hold inquiry into the matter and take action if anybody found involved. He said the matter pertains to the Tribal Affairs department and they should take appropriate measures taking into consideration the aspirations of children and their parents.
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