After reports of intelligence inputs of a possible terror threat in Uttar Pradesh, several schools in Lucknow and other major cities are planning to cut down on Independence Day functions.
“Several parents met us on Tuesday and were concerned about the terror threat.
They felt unsafe sending their children to school on Independence Day and wanted us to avoid functions on that day. We have convened a parent teacher meeting on Wednesday and we may just have a flag hoisting ceremony with the school staff instead of a major function with all school children,” said the principal of a leading girls’ school in the state capital.
A prestigious school in Allahabad has already sent out a note to parents saying that only students of Classes 9 and 10 will participate in the flag- hoisting ceremony while the junior kids can stay at home.
Two schools in Agra have also cancelled the I-Day parade in the school and will restrict the flag-hoisting function to teachers and other staff members.
Another major chain of secondary schools that sends its children to participate in the Independence Day parade is faced with another problem — a large number of children have started reporting sick and parents are sending in their medical certificates to prove their inability to participate in the main parade. A teacher said that over ten children in her class had, so far, reported on Tuesda, “I personally spoke to some parents and they said that after TV channels telecast news about the threat of a terror strike in UP on I-Day, they were unwilling to send their children for the parade,” the teacher said. The school authorities are unwilling to call of participation in the parade and one of the principals said, “We will go ahead with the parade even if a large chunk of students back off. This is no way to deal with a situation. We must face it bravely.”