SCHOOL PREMISES being used for lodging visiting students, marriage parties and polling booths etc are common occurrences. Ever heard of classroom being converted into sweetshop? Come to Raja Bhoj Government School and see exactly that.
This correspondent witnessed sale of sweetmeats to residents of 1100 Quarters locality from the school-turned-shop. The room No 10 of the school looked like a typical shop with weighing scales and colourful sweet boxes etc.
However, Tarun Chaturvedi, the contractor for mid-day meal supply, maintained that he had got the sweets prepared for the teaching staff of the school upon their request.
Chaturvedi said the principal is fully aware of the sweet shop. Principal Anil Singh Gaur admitted as much when contacted on phone.
“This is a trivial matter”, he told this correspondent rather sharply. “You represent a national newspaper and should not bother about such petty issues”, he advised.
But Commissioner Public Instruction L S Baghel didn’t quite agree with the principal. A shocked Baghel remarked, “I do not know about the matter but if it is true, it will not be allowed.”
District Education Officer (DEO) O P Sharma too was surprised when informed about the shop. “I do not know how such a commercial activity could take place in a school,’’ he said. He, however, added that he would have to inquire into the matter and then would take an appropriate action.
{{/usCountry}}District Education Officer (DEO) O P Sharma too was surprised when informed about the shop. “I do not know how such a commercial activity could take place in a school,’’ he said. He, however, added that he would have to inquire into the matter and then would take an appropriate action.
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Some questions
THE COMMERCIAL shop in Raja Bhoj School raised some questions:
1 Who has given permission to Tarun Chaturvedi to open sweet shop?
2 Why Principal Anil Singh Gaur reacted sharply when contacted him regarding the issue?
3 Does the Principal of the school posses the authority to allow opening of a shop in the school?