Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia

Sullia, Oct 24: Parents have raised concerns over alleged unfair treatment of government school children in the district-level sports meet for primary and high school students that began on Thursday in Dakshina Kannada.

According to parents, government school children were forced to participate in the sports meet without any prior training or preparation. Schools reopened on October 23, immediately after the Dasara holidays, and on the same day, officials approved the conduct of the district-level sports meet. Parents allege that this scheduling seems to favour private school students, giving them an undue advantage.

Parents have questioned why school authorities, the SDMC, and other officials failed to inform government school teachers and parents about the sports meet, leaving government school children unprepared. They argue that the dates of the meet could have been set to ensure equal participation for all students, rather than favouring private institutions.

Furthermore, parents expressed disappointment that education officials, taluk-level physical education inspectors, and district nodal officers did not ensure that government school children could participate fully in the sports meet.

In connection with this, parent Sandhya Dhol submitted a complaint to the respected education officer, stating that her child was treated unfairly during the sports meet held on October 23 at Aranthodu, Sullia taluk. She also pointed out that the school’s headmaster, who serves as the president of the Sullia Taluk Headmasters’ Association, failed to inform parents, teachers, or the SDMC about the event.

Parents criticized that when someone holding such a high position shows irresponsibility, government schools cannot benefit, and repeated complaints against such officials to the education department have not led to corrective action.

Parents stressed that when communities are striving to preserve government schools, officials and teachers preventing children from accessing school activities is a violation of students’ rights.