Classes 1 to 5 resume at Orchids school

There seems to be a great deal of confusion among education department officials themselves with regard to the issue of reopening Orchids The International School, Jalahalli, following the sexual assault on a minor girl, that exposed a number of illegalities in the school’s recognition. 

On Sunday, a number of parents received information from the school management about the reopening of classes 1 to 5 from Monday and pre-primary (UKG, LKG) and higher primary (Class 6 and 7) from Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.  

While Commissioner for Public Instruction Mohammed Mohsin and other department officials had clearly stated that the school would not commence classes till the issue of its recognition was fully solved, the school reopened on Monday. 

K Anand, director, primary education, told Deccan Herald, “I am not aware of what Mohsin said. What I know is that the permission to reopen the school on Monday has been granted by the DDPI (deputy director of public instruction) for classes 1 to 5.”

An official from the school said, “We were there on the day Police Commissioner M N Reddi came to meet the parents and the management. We were allowed to open classes 1  to 5 from Monday in his presence and that of education officials,” he said. 

With regard to the reopening of the pre-primary and higher primary sections, Anand said, “It would be illegal as they do not have the required permission. We will close down the school if it resumes classes 6 and 7 and pre-primary section.

The school should send its applications to the department by October 30. The processing and other works will be completed by March 31 for classes 6 and 7 and the pre-primary section,” he said. 

Parents anxious

A number of parents were anxious about the resumption of classes.While a group of parents is demanding that the school be reopened as soon as possible, another group is not willing to send their children till the school comes clean. 

“I will not send my children to a school that has duped us, until and unless all issues with regard to the school’s recognition and affiliation are resolved. There are a number of parents who feel the same way,” said Pramod, a parent.