Students in Kalaburagi district demand classrooms, toilets and bus services

In her response, Aparna M. Kolla, a member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR), said that the KSCPCR had already sought details of the schools that lack toilets, and assured that immediate measures would be taken to address the issue.

In their interaction with Aparna M. Kolla, a member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR), children demanded decent classrooms, toilets and bus facilities.

“Hundreds of children are studying in our school. There are no separate toilets for boys and girls. There is no playground. We don’t have bus facilities to go to and come from school. We often miss classes because of these issue”, the children told the KSCPCR member appealing to the government to provide basic facilities.

The interaction was organised at Visveswaraya Institute in Kalaburagi on November 19, and presided over by Ms. Kolla.

“I am studying in the Government High School at Rajapur, Kalaburagi. There are over 150 students. There is no proper toilet. Nor is there a separate room for library. The school has only three classrooms in which all the students are packed,” said Prateek, a student.

Shivani, a student from Kalagurthi in Kalagi taluk, said that improper bus facilities from her village to Kalaburagi forced her to miss classes many times. She appealed to the authorities to address the issue at the earliest possible.

Prabhavathi, a lecturer, complained of an inordinate gap between the openings of schools and hostels that forced students to remain at home waiting for hostels to open.

“Schools open in May every year. But, the hostel selection lists are published in July. Many students from rural area, who are unable to afford private accommodation and food, simply stay at home waiting for the publication of the hostel selection list. Those who get seats in hostels come to schools, but late, while those who don’t get hostel seats discontinue their studies,” she said.