Two people were arrested on Thursday after Delhi’s Education Minister Manish Sisodia visited a municipal school in Kalyanpuri and found that the guard rents out classrooms to outsiders at night. In the 10 pm raid, hand tools including hammers and saws were found in the rented classrooms, which people had also used to cook food, Sisodia said.
“Playing with the safety of children in schools will not be tolerated at any cost,” he tweeted. According to Sisodia, the security guard at the school said he had rented out the classroom at night to earn extra money because he worked 24 hours a day but was paid only eight hours’ wages.
The school is in Kalyanpuri locality and is run by the East Delhi Municipal Corporation. Primary schools in the city are run by its civic bodies, while the government controls education for Class 6 and above.
Local councillor Kuldeep Kumar, an Aam Aadmi Party member, told the Hindustan Times that parents had told him about the problem, after which he had informed Sisodia. The raid was conducted after informing the police.
Anil Kumar, assistant director of education at East Delhi Municipal Corporation, said action will be taken soon. “The guard may be suspended soon. We have also asked the school principal to give an explanation,” he was quoted as saying.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!