‘No teachers, poor food’: School girls block Lucknow road after boys protest

Nearly 200 girls from Jai Prakash Narayan Sarvodaya Vidyalaya for Girls in Lucknow halted traffic on Monday, standing in front of vehicles and forming a human chain in the downpour. The students were protesting a lack of teachers, subpar school meals, and other issues, requesting senior officials to attend. The demonstration lasted about two hours and brought the bustling stretch to a halt.

The protest followed a similar demonstration by over 100 boys from the school’s boys’ campus three days earlier. A police team arrived, attempting to convince the students to clear the road, but around 50 remained. Senior officials from the Welfare Department and district administration eventually spoke with the students, who were subsequently taken back to the school to voice their concerns and have them addressed.

UP Welfare Minister Asim Arun revealed in a statement that guest faculty were selected for the shortage of teachers the previous year. However, a case was filed before the Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench over the continued use of guest teachers, preventing their engagement for a year. Arun stated that the case was heard today, and the department presented its arguments.

They expressed optimism that the court might issue an order tomorrow. Once issued, they plan to bring back guest teachers and address the issues raised by the court.

The boys had previously blocked Mohan Road during their protest on August 14. Arun, traveling through the area, found his vehicle stuck in the traffic caused by the protest. He intervened, speaking with the students. The protest has drawn criticism from the opposition, with the Samajwadi Party accusing the BJP of ruining the education system, while the Uttar Pradesh Congress called it a voice of a new generation questioning the system.

Such protests have been occurring at schools across Uttar Pradesh in recent months, with students demonstrating over education and basic infrastructure issues in various regions like Fatehpur, Hamirpur, and Kannauj.