Lucknow, 8 July: This is a strange story of a 140-year-old school losing its existence for a day but regained their premises after the intervention of educational and administrative authorities. When the teachers and students of this school in Lucknow’s Golaganj locality returned from vacation on Thursday, they were met with a starting awakening. Their ancient institution, Centennial Higher Secondary School and College, had been missing, and a new private school had come up. The school’s hoardings and nameplates had been replaced, and students and staff were barred from entering the premises.
Following that, approximately 360 students sat outside the gate while the teachers taught on the road. Principal Rajiv David Dayal filed a complaint with basic education officer Vijay Pratap Singh and district inspector of schools Rakesh Kumar.
On Thursday afternoon, officials arrived to check the school. “Around 10 permanent instructors and 360 students from classes 6 to 12 are enrolled in the school,” the principal told reporters. When we arrived at the school, the name had been changed, and we were denied admission. The furniture had been removed, and we were told that the school had been relocated to the “tin shade playground.”
He stated that he immediately filed a complaint with authorities from the education department, who took notice and promised to investigate the issue. “It was a traumatic experience for us. Consider going back to school after the summer break, only to discover that your school no longer exists. It is mental harassment of pupils,” remarked a teacher.
The institution, which began as a modest school in Old City in 1862, has a long and distinguished history. Rev JH Messmore, a pioneer educationist missionary in Lucknow, founded it.
Meanwhile, District Magistrate Suryapal Gangwar stated on Friday that classes at Centennial Higher Secondary School and College will continue as usual, and a police force has been deployed outside the school beginning Friday to maintain law and order. Gangwar gave the direction following the submission of a report to him by DIOS Rakesh Kumar.
DIOS Rakesh Kumar had inspected the school with BSA and other authorities in response to principal Dayal’s report that a private school had opened on the school premises owing to a conflict within the school management. The management issue is currently in court.
The DIOS stated that because the school is government-aided, no private school can operate on its grounds.
He also stated that the Basic Education Council will not offer affiliation to a private school on the site of a government-aided institution.
Gulab Devi, the state education minister, has also been notified about the situation when a team from the Madhyamik Shikshak Sangh visited her recently to relay the students’ worries. Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, also addressed the issue on Twitter.
