Bengaluru’s private schools defy government holiday order, parents upset
Bengaluru: Several private schools, mainly those affiliated with CBSE and ICSE, conducted classes on Monday, despite the government declaring a holiday in the early hours due to heavy rains.
Among these schools is one managed by a trust run by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Parents who adhered to the government’s announcement and kept their children at home were surprised to find their children marked absent.
“I was shocked to receive a message from the school at 11.40 am, saying my son was absent. I had kept him home following the government's holiday announcement, but the message indicated regular classes were being held,” said a parent whose child attends Little Flower Public School in Banashankari 2nd Stage.
Another parent, whose children study at National Hill View Public School in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, managed by DK Shivakumar’s trust, said they went to the school for clarification after receiving no communication. School authorities informed them that there was no holiday. “For those living nearby, it might not be an issue, but what about parents who live far and depend on private transport? Who will be responsible if the vehicle gets stranded?” the parent asked.
In response, Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha G instructed the Deputy Directors of Public Instruction (DDPI) of Bengaluru South and North to issue notices to schools that did not comply with the holiday order. “Though the announcement was late due to the delayed alert, it was the responsibility of all schools to prioritise student safety. Based on complaints, we’ve issued notices to non-compliant schools,” he said.
According to Ningarajappa KB, DDPI of Bengaluru South, 15 schools have already been issued notices, and more may follow as complaints continue to arrive. In North Bengaluru, the Education Department is compiling a list of schools based on parent reports.
However, the late announcement caused significant inconvenience for many parents. Children who had already left for school by 7 am had to be picked up after parents were informed of the holiday. Some schools have now advised parents to monitor news for rain alerts and holiday notifications in the coming days.
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Two held for assaulting policemen over drinking in public
Bengaluru (PTI): Two police personnel on patrolling duty were allegedly abused and assaulted by a group of four youths after being asked not to consume alcohol in a public place, police said on Wednesday.
Two of the accused -- an engineering student and a software engineer, both in their 20s -- have been arrested in the case, they said.
Efforts are being made to nab the other two suspects, who have been identified, police added.
The incident occurred in the early hours of May 1, when the two personnel, attached to Amrutahalli police station, were patrolling on a two-wheeler near Akashavani Layout, they said.
According to police, while patrolling around 3 am, they noticed four youths who had stopped their car on the road and were consuming alcohol. When they were told to leave, as drinking alcohol in a public place is not permitted, one among them suddenly started abusing them.
When the policemen attempted to take out their lathi from the vehicle, the youths allegedly caught hold of them from behind, grabbed and dragged them, and tore one of their uniforms, the FIR stated.
They assaulted them with their hands and with rings worn, causing injuries to their faces. They also kicked them, causing pain, it said.
Thereafter, the accused allegedly snatched the key of their vehicle, pushed them to the ground, and fled the scene in their car at high speed, police said.
The policemen then immediately went to a hospital for treatment and lodged a complaint against four unknown youths, following which an FIR was registered against them under Sections 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 304 (snatching), and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
"We have arrested two people in the case and efforts are being made to nab the other two suspects who have been identified," a senior police officer said.
