Tirupati: Many schools use roads as playgrounds

TIRUPATI: There are more than 1,000 schools in Chittoor district, of which nearly 500 are private schools. Many of the private schools lack playgrounds. Some schools have taken the unused land for lease near the school and they are being used as playgrounds. A few schools in Tirupati are using colony roads as playgrounds. This is dangerous as vehicles pass through the same roads. Some schools don’t have playgrounds at all.

The government schools are far better in this respect as 400 of the schools have playgrounds with plenty of space and 140 schools in the district have medium-sized grounds, out of the total 540 schools. Speaking on this issue, parents have different views. Some are happy while to some it makes no difference. “I admitted my daughter in a school which is a walkable distance from my house. Having a playground is not an issue as I look at my child’s safety and convenience,” says P. Madhan Rao, a parent from Tirupati.

“I really feel bad about the present culture of education. They only make the children study. My grandson is studying in a private school where he doesn’t have any ground to play on. There are also no cultural activities that I am aware of. Sports keeps them fit. But the education system has deleted the sports ‘tab’ from the time-table,” says A.Sankar Rao K. Sandhya, a parent said, “The colony roads have turned into playgrounds. What if a speeding vehicle appears at the same time? The officials should keep an eye on the private schools.”

Speaking to this correspondent, DEO Samuel said, “We have served notices to the schools which do not have grounds. While granting permits we check out the playground. At least an unused land should be made available for use as playground, near the school building. We will be strict if they do not follow the rules”.