Mumbai, August 18: The relocation of Ujjain’s historic Sarafa Girls School to Dawatkhadi, approximately 10 to 15 kilometers away from the city, has been halted following protests by students. The administration decided to keep the students at the existing school premises until alternative arrangements for the new building are finalized, considering their safety and the difficulties posed by the increased distance.
BJP MP Anil Firozia stated that the decision regarding the school was made after discussions with local representatives and the Chief Minister. He mentioned that the students had approached the administration with their concerns, but they could not meet with the collector on that day. Following this, the students released a video expressing their issues, which prompted serious consideration of their grievances.
Firozia acknowledged that the students’ concerns were valid. He noted that relocating the school 15 kilometers away would cause significant inconvenience for daily commutes. Even with bus services, issues like breakdowns could arise, leading to further complications. Therefore, the decision was made to continue operating the school at its current location. He also mentioned that traffic congestion around the Mahakal area had been problematic for students, and under the Chief Minister’s direction, road construction is underway to alleviate this issue. The Chief Minister has allocated a budget for the new school, and local representatives have been tasked with identifying suitable land within or near the city to prevent future relocations.
The MP further stated that the Sarafa Girls School would not be shifted until the new building is completed. Only after the new facility is ready will the possibility of relocation be reconsidered.
Student Vanshika Chandraavat expressed her happiness with the administration’s decision. She stated that their primary demand, which led to the protests, has been met. She thanked the administration and local representatives, as well as the media, for amplifying their concerns throughout the city. Chandraavat emphasized that the school should remain within a 1 to 1.5-kilometer radius of the city if relocation becomes necessary in the future to ensure easy access for students.
Another student, Monica Sisodia, highlighted that the primary reason for opposing the school’s relocation was student safety. Many parents were not in favor of having girls’ and boys’ schools in close proximity at Dawatkhadi. Additionally, the distance from the current school to the proposed site was estimated to be around 10 to 12 kilometers.
Monica pointed out that the long commute raises concerns about potential accidents or unpleasant incidents. Welcoming the decision to build a new school in the city center, she noted that students feel safer in that environment, especially with the Mahakal police station nearby, providing a sense of security due to the presence of people in the area.
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P.S.K.
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