Ujjain school stays where it is; MP govt withdraws decision to relocate after girl students' protest: Reports

Days after more than 300 students of an all-girls school in Ujjain’s Sarafa area staged protests against the Madhya Pradesh government’s plan to merge and shift various government schools, MP CM Mohan Yadav withdrew the decision and stated that the decision has been taken in recognition of their practical difficulties to reach schools, Aaj Tak reported.

The school girls were accompanied by their parents and other activists during their demonstration against the government’s decision to relocate the school. However, following the protests, the state government withdrew its decision to shift Government Sarafa Higher Secondary School in Ujjain, the report read.

The girl students raised concern about their safety and commute, as several students belong to nearby rural villages, the report said.

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As per the Hindu report, the protests took place for nearly two hours, while many girls broke into tears and made emotional appeals to the authorities. Two girls also fainted during the agitation, the Hindu report added.

“The students had surrounded the collector's office, protesting the merger of the historic Sarafa School, located behind the Mahakal Temple, with the Sandipani School in Daudkhedi. The students raised serious concerns with the administration regarding distance, transportation problems, and their safety,” the Aaj Tak report read.

The report further stated that CM Yadav took cognizance of the issue as soon as he was informed of the protests.

He directed the officials to ensure that the students’ education should not be discontinued due to the shifting of the government schools and withdrew the decision to relocate Sarafa School building until a suitable alternative place is designated, it added.

Following the CM’s decision, Anil Firoziya, Ujjain MP, along with municipal corporation chairman, local MLA and Ujjain collector reached the protesting site.

"Until alternative arrangements are made, the students will continue to study in the current Sarafa Vidyalaya building. The state government is fully committed to the education, safety, and easy transportation of the students, and security will not be compromised at any level,” Roshan Kumar Singh, collector Ujjain, said in the report.

Later, the students expressed gratitude towards CM Yadav and said that the decision is a huge relief for them and their parents.