A Class XI student keen to become a doctor has been shown the door here because of his physical handicap. Rabi Ranjan’s physical limitations caused by polio — both his legs are affected and he moves with the support of sticks — have proved to be his bane.
The Saraswati Shishu Mandir school has asked his parents to take him back. The school wrote to his parents that the zoology classes Rabi opted for could not be held on the ground floor. Last week, Rabi was not allowed to board the school bus.
“The conductor of the bus allowed my two brothers to board but asked me to go back home. The conductor said the school principal had told him to do so,” said a teary-eyed Rabi.
When he took admission in Saraswati Shishu Mandir two months ago, the school management was informed of his physically disability.
Justifying the management’s decision, school principal Kamlakant Das said, “Yes, we have written a letter to Rabi’s parents to take him back. Rabi’s legs are afflicted by polio and the zoology practical classes are held on the first floor. It will only create problems for Rabi".
Justifying the management’s decision, school principal Kamlakant Das said, “Yes, we have written a letter to Rabi’s parents to take him back. Rabi’s legs are afflicted by polio and the zoology practical classes are held on the first floor. It will only create problems for Rabi".
“What we have done is in the interest of Rabi. Without taking practical classes no student can pass the examination. It is difficult for us to arrange the practical classes on the ground floor,” he said.
The Central Board of Secondary Education had in 2005 issued circulars to its schools asking them to provide students with disability barrier-free access to all the educational facilities and services in the school including hostels, libraries and laboratories.