PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) conducted inspections of schools in Dehradun on Tuesday and discovered several irregularities. The SCPCR chairwoman Geeta Khanna informed that the commission carried out a surprise inspection of GRD School, located in Kehri Village, Premnagar, in response to complaints received from parents.
During the inspection, it was noted that the educational certificates of the playgroup teachers were not available for review. The principal’s office appeared to be an ordinary room filled with six registers and papers related to the Open University. The school officials failed to submit documents concerning its management. Although a recognition document was provided, it only permitted the school to operate classes to the sixth grade, while classes are being conducted up to class VII. The school management claimed recognition till class VIII, but they did not present any supporting documents during the inspection, she said.
She further added that a degree college was being run on the same campus as the school without any partitions or walls. This raised concern about how the school could operate within a degree college campus and who granted permission for this arrangement. Khanna further stated that the founder of the school had been imprisoned for child abuse and extremely cruel behavior in the past, causing the school to be shut down.
She emphasised that no institution should be allowed to operate solely based on paperwork. Proper standards should be established for running schools, which include the selection and verification of qualified personnel based on their human qualities, educational qualifications and social prestige. This ensures that students receive a safe learning environment and are taught to build ideals and character. Many other irregularities were also found at the school, she said.
In addition, an inspection of the water tank and toilet facilities at the government primary school in Bulakiwala was conducted and officials were directed to assess the school and ensure necessary repairs.
Khanna said that the commission reviewed ongoing cases in the Vikasnagar block and found that past instructions given to Saint Mary Convent School were not being followed. Consequently, she instructed the Block Education Officer (BEO) in Vikasnagar to take immediate action to comply with the commission’s directives.
