NGOs, activists protest merger of govt schools in Gujarat

Activists across the state, who have joined forces under the umbrella of Nishal, an NGO formed to fight for the right to education, held a one-day workshop in the city on Sunday to chalk out their protest strategy. They are protesting the state government's latest notification which calls for merger of around 3,000 government schools which have less then 100 students enrolled with them.   

The state government recently issued the notification for merger of the schools across the state. As per the new policy, the government schools which have less then 100 students will be merged with its nearest school. It is estimated that the move will lead to merger of nearly 3,000 schools.

Nirupa Shah, coordinator of Nishal, told DNA, "The work-shop was organised to protest the policy of the state government of merging schools and chalk out the future course of action. We have already initiated the dialogues with the government." Shah added that 60 members from various NGOs across the state and child rights activists participated in the workshop that was organised at Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Ashram Road, between 12.30pm and 5pm.

"We want the government to either withdraw the notification or avoid closing any of the schools. If the government does not accept our demands, we shall take further steps and may challenge the notification in the court," the Nishal coordinator warned.

Sukhdev Patel, a child rights activists and member of Nishal, said  the merged decision would affect the weaker section of the society. "It will also lead to an increase in the ratio of girl child dropouts across the state," he further said.