Parents of specially-abled students at Sanjay School staged a protest demanding the reopening of the Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Centre on Saturday. The centre, shuttered in October 2023 due to unsafe building conditions, has left 110 students, aged between 20-40 years old, without access to these centres.
Expressing their distress, a concerned parent shared, “A student fell from the building and died in early September. Despite this tragedy, the school continued functioning until October 5th when we suddenly received a message to halt sending our children without any given explanation.”
The relocation of students to the dilapidated old SCERT building in 2016 has only compounded their plight. “Our continuous pleas for a disabled-friendly building to the Chief Minister have been unheeded,” the parent added, highlighting the challenges of leaking classrooms and inadequate space hindering the students’ mobility.
The dire situation has compelled senior citizen parents to keep their children confined when they step out. “As nuclear families, we are left with no option but to lock our kids inside. The government has denied us the respite we desperately need,” expressed another parent.
Amidst mounting frustrations, a parent questioned the sudden interest in calling the students back, hinting at the impending Purple Fest. “Why hasn’t the government utilized resources to build a new centre? If there’s funding for festivals, why not for these crucial services?” the concerned parent questioned.
DRAG President Avelino D’Sa highlighted the urgent need, saying, “110 students with intellectual and severe disabilities have been sitting at home for the past three months. The absence of routine is deeply affecting them, causing behavioural issues that further challenge parents.”
Expressing disappointment over the Social Welfare minister’s lack of interest, D’Sa emphasised the urgency for action. “The centres must reopen immediately,” he stressed.
Demanding the Chief Minister’s intervention, they vow to persist with the protest at Purple Fest Venue on Monday or take legal action in the High Court.
