Revoke closure order or face stir, Ambala schools tell govt

Tribune News Service

Ambala, April 11

Unhappy with the state government's orders to shut schools for Classes I to VIII till April 30 amid spike in Covid cases, asection of local private schools has asked the authorities to withdraw the decision. If not, the schools said, they would have no option but to protest.

Biggest-ever spike

• In the biggest spike in Covid-19 infection so far, Haryana on Sunday reported 3,440 fresh cases, taking the tally to 3,16,881
• Gurugram reported a maximum of 1,084 cases followed by Faridabad (445) and Karnal (264). With 16 more deaths, the death toll reached 3,268
• Meanwhile, 1,13,917 persons were vaccinated on Sunday, taking the total number to 24,69,233

Jhajjar first district in state to launch 'vax fest' for cops

• In view of the Covid surge, the Jhajjar district police have launched a 'vaccination festival' to administer the jab to cops and their kin
• The drive was kicked off by SP Rajesh Duggal, who received the first vaccine dose at a dispensary in the Police Lines
• "The jab was given to 300 cops and their kin on the first day of the drive, which will continue for the next four days." the SP said
• He said Jhajjar was the first district in the state, where the police had launched such a drive for the police personnel. tns

The private schools' operators today gathered under the banners of the Integrated Private Schools Welfare Society and Haryana Progressive Schools Conference, and termed government's order "anti-education".

Saurabh Kapoor, president, Integrated Private Schools Welfare Society, said: "The schools remained closed during the last academic session. Now, the situation was returning to normal when the government decided to shut schools again. The government's priority should be education. Unfortunately, this has not been the case of late."

He added the government should withdraw its decision or else schools would be forced to protest.

Private schools have decided to hold a demonstration in front of Ambala City MLA Aseem Goel's residence on April 19 and submit a memorandum in support of their demands for the Education Minister and the Chief Minister.

The Federation of Private Schools' Welfare Association has decided not to close schools.

Kulbhushan Sharma, president of the association, said: "We fail to understand what the government is trying to achieve by closing schools while all shops and businesses remain open. We will submit memorandums to DCs and announce the future course of action in Chandigarh soon."

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