Mangaluru : “Why the students of upper class don’t have reservation. We also want to become Deputy Commissioner like you…” this was one of the queries asked by a student from a gram panchayat of the district during an interaction programme organised by the district administration, Karnataka Balavikasa Academy, Women and Child Welfare Department and District Children’s Protection Unit, at the zilla panchayat here on Friday.

Answering to the query of Bhagyalaxmi of Government Higher Primary School Tannirupantha, DC A B Ibrahim said reservation would help to join downtrodden to mainstream of society. It is not permanent. He agreed that though there is financial reservation, it is not enough. Every citizen has power to vote. The public representatives will submit a proposal on the issue, he said.

Afreez of Sajipanadu High School alleged that miscreants sell cigarette near school. Though complain has been submitted to police and civil court, no action has been carried out.

Students from Kumpala, Ira and many other places complained that they don’t have sufficient number of teachers, especially to teach computer. Misria of Aladangadi school blamed poor construction of toilets.

Zilla Panchayat President Asha Timmappa Gowda said she would check the poor construction with the help of engineers and toilets will be sanctioned if there is scarcity. About substance abuse, police department official said that police beat will be sent soon and action will be initiated those who sell drugs near schools. Training sessions are being conducted to police on better behaviour with children and women, he added.

SSA Project Coordinator Geeta said that computers have been provided to 144 cluster schools, but there is no separate maintenance fund. A proposal for Annual Maintenance Cost (AMC) has been submitted. The maintenance of computers would become easy if the government sanctions the fund. The problem of teachers would be solved from next academics, she said.

Adhiti from Machina said that they find bundles of liquor bottles near the school within 100 metre. The Deputy Commissioner assured of sending officials to the sight within one week and take action against miscreants. Students from Bajpe and other area complained scarcity of pure drinking water.

Keddalike school students wanted proper school compound and they expressed the problem of plastic in school compound. Zilla Panchayat CEO Srividhya said that a notice will be sent to the gram panchayat for proper handling of plastic. Meanwhile, she said that desks and benches will be provided to primaries as well along with high schools.

About the 14-year-old boy of Munnur who is out of school because of his mentally retarded mother, the CEO said that if parents can’t provide education, it is the responsibility of teachers to provide education under RTE Act. The boy should be referred to Child Welfare Committee (CWC), she said.

Students from Kuvettu of Belthangady alleged that they find bundles of used syringes near their school, though there is no hospital in the region. The CEO said that she would discuss the matter with police and health department officials. Interestingly, students said that CCTV cameras should be installed in their schools. The education department official said that CCTV cameras will be installed in all government soon and direction has been given to private school managements too.

She said that Rs 40 lakh has been sanctioned to each zone from MLA fund and would reach schools by June, which can be used for repair of schools. Unicef Member Sr Drulin, CWC President K Nikesh Shetty, ZP Deputy Secretary Umesh, Educationist Rennie D’Souza, Women and Children’s Welfare Department Deputy Director Gartrude Vegas were present.