Vocational subject students made to walk on highway for ‘training’ at eatery

While the AAP government in Punjab, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is boasting of the much acclaimed Sikhya Kranti in the state, authorities at Government Senior Secondary School for Women, Payal, are in the dock for risking the lives of vocational students by making them walk for miles on the national highway on the pretext of a ‘compulsory’ on-the-job training at some eatery.

Having been deserted by the teacher accompanying them, a group of about 25 girl students who had already passed out from the school, had to call their parents to a roadside dhaba in the afternoon on Tuesday to reach their homes. Three students who tried the trip on a borrowed Scooty were injured as the two-wheeler skidded on the way.

Residents led by Municipal Council president Malkit Goga alleged that the authorities at Government Senior Secondary School for Women, Payal, had called about 25 vocational girl students, who had passed out, on the pretext of undertaking an essential ‘on-the-job’ training scheduled at some designated eatery on Tuesday.

The parents lamented that not only were their wards stuffed like goods on the journey to an eatery near Doraha, the girls were asked to walk down to another dhaba situated on the national highway in the afternoon.

The school authorities could not give a satisfactory answer about chances of students suffering from heatstroke due to the scorching heat.

Accusing the authorities at the school and the District Education Office of showing a casual attitude towards the teacher who took the students without caring for their comfort and safety, the residents have demanded strict action against the erring personnel.

“Most unfortunate part of the incident is that the students have all passed out and all exercises and courses should have been completed before the conduct of the annual examination. The teacher concerned has exhibited the highest level of negligence by leaving girl students at the mercy of nature and switching off her phone,” said MC president Goga, adding that written complaints had been filed at the offices of District Education Officer, Ludhiana, and SDM, Payal.

Unruly scenes were observed shortly after the opening of the school in the morning as staff could not foresee repercussions of the alleged negligence of the vocational teacher concerned on Tuesday.

However, a nodal officer from Government Senior Secondary School, Maksudra, Varinder Singh succeeded in pacifying the residents, including parents of students, who suffered the inconvenience and left only after being assured of action after consulting seniors in the department.

DEO (Secondary) Dimple Madan said an inquiry had been marked in the matter.

However, SDM, Payal, Pardeep Singh Bains, said necessary action would be taken after verifying allegations levelled against the personnel at the school concerned.

Ludhiana