From terrorists in Peshawar to leopards in Bengaluru: Varied threats to S Asian schools

Bengaluru, Feb 11: Over 130 schools have remained shut in some areas in south-eastern Bengaluru in the wake of a leopard's intrusion in a renowned school and also reported spotting of more leopards in the city.

Shutting schools in Bengaluru in fear of an external threat reminds one of a similar situation that had arose in Pakistan after a terror attack took place at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on January 20, resulting in the death of many students and a professor. Thirteen months before this attack, another dreadful terror attack took place in an Army school in Peshawar in the same province, killing several, many of whom were schoolchildren.

Following the attack in Bacha Khan University, several schools remained shut as state agencies warned of more attacks on educational institutions. Schools run by army remained shut for more than a week as the 2014 massacre made the authorities over-cautious.

But can't these threats to schools be completely uprooted so that our children can peacefully concentrate on their studies and creative faculties? It is unfortunate that we, in these parts, are not being able to ensure the basic right that children have, which is their right to study.

Taking the case of Bengaluru, it is disappointing to see talks about leopards are refusing to die down and more the talks, more are the rumours and the result: more holidays in schools affecting the children's study. In case of terror strikes too, closing down schools over warnings not only encourage the enemies of humanity but also discourage the young minds' desire to excel.

Do the governments in these parts lack the minimum courage to ensure complete immunity to our children from disruptions? For Bengaluru, one can understand to what degree the authorities here are prepared if they feel so much shaky in the wake of a leopard's intrusion in an empty school in the city.

The record of our service to the future generations is not satisfactory, at least at this point.

Oneindia News