Smiles all around, BBMP school shifts to new campus

By Y. Maheshwara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: On Saturday morning, students and faculty from the BBMP High School in Gandhinagar were all smiles as they performed a pooja at their newly-renovated campus. On November 17, News Trail published an article about the school being temporarily shifted to the All India Institute of Local Self-Governance building next door, so the campus could be renovated.

The new building was in pathetic condition, and NT described the plight of students and teachers, criticising the BBMP Education Department for refusing to shift the school back to its original premises even after the work was completed. Instead, forty girl students continued to share a single toilet, while boys used a public restroom off campus. “I am happy to shift to the renovated building. Even using the restroom was a struggle in the other place, as there was only one,” said a female student. “I have to thank the BBMP Special Commissioner for Education who visited the school and got feedback from students and teachers,” said Chindandappa, Headmaster of BBMP High School. “He gave orders for the school to be shifted to the renovated building immediately as the safety of students and teachers was at stake,” he said. Mr Chidanand says that arrangements have been made to shift to the new building on Tuesday, as Monday is a public holiday.

Child Rights activist Nagasimha G. Rao appreciated the quick response by the BBMP. “Authorities need to be more child-friendly and take a more proactive approach to child rights,” he added.

BBMP Special Commissioner for Education Reddy Shankar Babu Bagepalli said he has directed the headmaster to conduct classes in the renovated school building.