Hundreds of slum dwellers on riverfront say they aren’t getting their kids admitted to school as they may be allotted homes far away.
With admission season coming to a close, parents across the city are busy securing a seat in schools for their children. However, slum dwellers living near the Gujari Bazaar under Ellisbridge are in a dilemma about getting their children admitted to a municipal school. This is because they are not sure where will they be allotted houses by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. “What will happen if I get a home in a far-off area after my son gets admission here? Will the school in that area admit my son after a month or two?” asked Ramlal Jadhav, whose son is in Class 8.
Residents are also concerned about the transportation cost involved in sending children to school if they are allotted houses at far-off places. “We cannot afford to send our children here after being allotted a home which is 10 km away,” said Fatimabanu, who currently lives with her daughter under the bridge. More than 2,000 temporary homes near the Gujari Bazaar were demolished by the AMC during its demolition drive a month ago.
The officials have promised them alternate homes in the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) schemes in different areas of the city, like Vatva, Khokhra, Vadaj and Sarangpur. Despite the intervention of the governor as well as NGOs, the slum dwellers have not so far received the promised home under this scheme.
Residents say that more than 400 of their children are studying in nearby schools, including, IP Mission School near Victoria Garden, Municipal School No2 at Vasant Chowk, and Premchand Raichand School, Mahalaxmi School and Navjivan School at Khamasa.
“We are still indecisive about getting the admissions as we fear that we have to move from here some day,” said Ashraf Habib, who is yet to decide about his daughter’s admission in Class 7.
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