In Hisar village, girl students told to shift out of govt co-ed school

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, May 3

A diktat issued by the block-level education department office in a Haryana village has stipulated that no girls will be allowed to study in a government co-educational school anymore.

A letter in this regard was issued by the department to the two schools — Government Girls Middle School (Class 1-8) and Government High School-Co-Educational (Class 1-10) — of Bhagana village in Hisar district on April 29. The letter, which addresses the principals, says that as per the departmental norms, when separate schools were available for girls and boys then admissions should also be made accordingly.

The letter says a panchayat had adopted a resolution in this regard. “So, you are directed to take action as per the departmental norms and inform this office,” says the letter, a copy of which is with The Tribune.

The directions have not gone down well with the village girls who, with their parents, approached the school authorities on Saturday to oppose the decision.

Village sarpanch Rakesh Panghal, however, said the panchayat had not adopted any such resolution. “We don’t support this decision. I will take up the matter with the district administration and ensure that the decision is withdrawn with immediate effect,” he said.

District elementary education officer Baljit Sahrawat said he was not aware of any such decision. “I will look into the issue tomorrow as today its Sunday,” he said.

Punita Rani, principal of the government co-educational school, hung up the phone on being asked about the latest circular.

Sources said the co-educational school has 336 students, including 84 girls, while the girls’ school has 170. If the order is implemented, 52 girls of the co-educational school, enrolled from Class 1-8, will be shifted to the girls’ school, while remaining 32 girls studying in Classes 9 and 10 will continue to study in the same school.