PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
A protest was held at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) run Raksha Anusandhan Vidyalaya (RAV) in Sundarwala area of Raipur on Thursday morning after students, parents and teachers found that the school management had been transferred to another body and new staff taking charge on short notice.
The school, which has been functioning under the DRDO Educational Society for years, saw angry scenes at its gate as existing staff alleged that they were not allowed to enter the premises. Even the principal was reportedly stopped at the entrance for some time. Bouncers were deployed at the gate as the situation turned tense. Students and parents gathered outside the campus and protested what they described as an “overnight privatisation” of the school. Some students also removed the newly installed DAV banner and raised slogans, saying that they did not want the school to be handed over to a private institution.
Parents said that they had received no prior information about the change in management. Archana Sharma, whose child studies in class VI, said that the decision had left families worried. “We came to know about the change only when the children reached school in the morning. A decision like this in the middle of the academic session creates uncertainty about studies and fees,” she said.
Some students also alleged that the inappropriate behaviour by members of the new staff. Teacher Rajeev Pathak said that they had already challenged the proposed handover process in the Delhi High Court in November 2025 after learning about plans to invite private institutions to run the school. He questioned how the transition could take place while the matter was still pending in court.
Established in 1993, the RAV mainly caters to children of DRDO employees and families from economically weaker sections. Around 150 students are currently enrolled in the school. DRDO officials visited the campus later in the day to assess the situation. The new principal Rajat Dusseja stated that the management change was aimed at improving the school. He assured that better facilities, including sports infrastructure and qualified staff, would be introduced. He also stated that there would be no immediate changes in uniform or books and that reforms would be implemented gradually.
