Team Herald
PONDA: The students of the Government Primary School (GPS) at Kasayale-Usgao, accompanied by their parents, boycotted classes on Wednesday morning in protest against the installation of a mobile tower in the school campus. The parents declared that they would not send their children to school until the government discusses the tower issue with them.
The parents have asked the government to shift the mobile tower 300 metres away from the primary school. Rajendra Gaude, PTA Chairman, said that around 70 children were studying at the GPS, including Anganwadi classes. “The digging work to erect the tower began two days ago, despite our objectiions. We fear that harmful radiation from the tower will affect our children’s health,” he said. Another parent Ulhas Gaude said that the PTA was planning to construct another room at the school but the mobile network company has forcefully dug up a huge chamber for the foundation of the tower
Expecting parents to remove their children from the GPS, some private schools have already put up advertisements, urging parents to admit their wards in private schools. The parents lamented that they made so many efforts to get their children into the pre-primary section of the school and had even appointed one educated lady for teaching them, but the government has betrayed them by giving permission to the mobile company to set up the tower against their wishes. The parents said they would not send their children to school until the work is stopped and government authorities discuss the tower issue with them.
