ZP resolves against closure of schools

Leader of the opposition Manjula Raj said that this decision will be in contrast to the centre’s commitment towards compulsory education to all. Endorsing her, ZP member Maruti said instead of closing the schools with seven to eight students as is the criterion set by the government, it would be better if the authorities concerned make arrangements to divert the students from nearby schools to those with thin attendance.  Or else, the teachers could travel from one school to another in the immediate vicinity, as inadequate staff is also the reason for plans to shut schools. Another member Madappa said English may be essential, but Kannada cannot be ignored.

ZP president Suneetha Veerappagowda said of the schools facing closure across the State, Mysore district has four- three in H D Kote taluk and one in Nanjangud taluk. Taking cognisance of the members outburst, she announced that the government would be apprised of the necessity of revoking the decision.

Madappa raised the issue of derogatory comments made against ZP by none other than a MP who chaired over the recent ZP Vigilance Committee meeting. The MP had taken the ZP to task for ranking last in the implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). 

Without taking the name of the MP (Vishwanath), Madappa flayed the latter for terming the body as ‘implementing agency’. ZP is one of the local bodies that assume significance and a senior politician like Vishwanath should not have likened ZP to an agency.

He was supported by another member Dwarkish, who claimed that voters always knock on the doors of ZP, TP and GP members, not a MP. Sudha said if that was the attitude of a senior leader, what can we expect from the officers. C T Rajanna, Maruthi, Sindhuvalli Kempanna and others also vented their ire against the MP.