Gurgaon: Despite relentless downpours that left large parts of the city submerged under knee-deep water, govt schools remained open on Friday, forcing hundreds of students to wade through flooded streets to reach their classrooms.Most of these children, who lack access to private transport or school bus facilities, had little choice but to navigate the hazardous conditions on foot. This came even as several private offices switched to work-from-home following district advisories, though no official directive on school closures or a shift to online classes was issued.“We don’t have buses, so we had to walk in water up to our knees. Our shoes got filled with dirty water, and books got wet.” A class 7 student described his ordeal.“Unlike private schools, our children don’t have buses. They come on foot or by shared autos. They are left with no choice but to walk through dirty, stagnant water,” a govt school teacher reiterated.Teachers said children arrived in classrooms with soaked uniforms, bags, and books, while many struggled to reach campuses due to stalled vehicles and flooded routes. “Some children were shivering in class. Attendance has dropped, but no clear instructions have been given to close schools or shift online,” the teacher added.Highlighting another concern, Dushyant Thakran, a teacher, said, “There are not even enough teachers in schools right now to ensure proper learning. Many of us have been sent for SIR duties, so important lessons are already being missed, and in such conditions, the situation only worsens.”Parents expressed anger over what they called a “double standard” in safety measures. “If offices can allow work-from-home, citing safety concerns, why are small children being forced to step out? My daughter had to walk nearly a kilometre in flooded streets today,” said a parent from Sector 9.Describing the struggle, a student said, “Some of us even slipped on the road today. It’s very difficult to even reach school.”School staff acknowledged that while campuses remain largely safe, access routes are a major concern. “The real issue is outside the school. Roads are waterlogged, vehicles get stuck, and children are exposed to health risks,” said a staff member.Officials said that decisions regarding school closures lie with district magistrate, but no fresh advisory was issued for students despite worsening conditions.The contrast has drawn criticism, with residents pointing out that while advisories were promptly issued for office-goers and many companies opted for work-from-home, govt school children were left to brave flooded roads. As rains continue, parents and teachers are questioning why, year after year, the same crisis unfolds with no lessons learnt.
