Noida: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, students from classes 1 to 8 in schools across the district are actively engaging in voter awareness rallies organized by school officials and booth-level officers (BLOs). These rallies play a vital role in the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative, which aims to promote voter participation and educate citizens about the electoral process.
While there is no official directive compelling every school to conduct these rallies, many schools have enthusiastically embraced the responsibility. However, with the ongoing scorching heat, some parents have raised concerns about the well-being of their children during these outdoor events.
“We conduct such rallies before every election to raise awareness, particularly among children, about the significance and process of voting. Although we have not received any explicit instructions from the state, we do this as part of our involvement in the electoral participation program. Nonetheless, we take all necessary precautions to ensure the students remain hydrated and carry water bottles. They are under constant supervision by their teachers throughout the rallies,” explained Rashmi Tripathi, a teacher at a government primary school in Noida’s sector 150. She also holds the role of a BLO.
While some parents wholeheartedly support their children’s involvement in these awareness rallies, others have expressed reservations about the potential risks to their young ones, particularly the impact of the extreme heat.
“We send our children to school for education, not to participate in political rallies in the scorching heat. If regular classes are not being held, the schools should remain closed,” remarked Harish Chandra, whose son attends a government school in Murshadpur.
It is important to note that the conduct of these rallies is not mandated by the state authorities, and schools have the discretion to determine whether or not to hold them. However, the SVEEP initiative encourages schools to actively engage in such activities to promote voter awareness and civic responsibility among young citizens.
