The Badlapur school-cum-college, which was closed on August 20 after a mob of protesters vandalized its premises, has partially reopened. Classes for students in grades 5 to 12 in the afternoon section resumed on Saturday. The school is expected to fully reopen on Monday, resuming normal operations for all sections, including the college.
The decision to reopen comes after parents of students, many of whom were worried about the disruption to their children’s education, demanded the school resume classes. The school has over 12,000 students, from nursery to post-graduation. On Friday, parents gathered outside the school and urged its reopening. While they agreed that action should be taken against those responsible for the sexual abuse of the two girl students, they emphasized that other children should not suffer as a result.
Following the vandalism, the school’s administrative body was dismissed by the school education minister. Kunda Pandit, deputy education officer of Thane district, was appointed as the administrator. Pandit began work on Thursday and made the decision to partially reopen the school late Friday night. Messages about the reopening were sent to students and their parents.
One parent, picking up his son from school, reported that few students had attended classes on the first day back. The parent noted that many teachers did not conduct lectures.
The school’s reopening marks a significant step towards normalcy after the disturbing incident. Investigations into the sexual abuse allegations and the vandalism continue.
