MCD run schools have been closed for nearly a week after a strike by employees due to non-payment of salaries.
The future of thousands of students for now remains closed behind the locked gates of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi- run schools. Though most of them have been closed for the past five days, Farhat, Farzaana and Nikhat walk to Nigam Pratbibha Vidyalaya in Turkman Gate everyday just to find out when their school will reopen.
Speaking to NDTV, Farhat, a student of Class IV says, 'I like being in school, its where I learn and play with my friends. I hope I can go back soon.'
Farhat's father, Mohd Faiz, was left disabled due to polio and could only study till Class X, but he hopes his daughters will turnaround their lives with education.
"I can only afford to send my 3 daughters to a MCD school but now with less than a month to go for final exams, their future looks uncertain," says Mr Faiz, who sells tea and snacks at Turkman Gate. His wife works as a domestic worker, both earn a combined amount of Rs 4000 a month to sustain their family of five.
Though Farhat's mother, Yasmin, understands that teachers at her daughter's school haven't been paid for four months, but says the future of India is suffering due to the standoff between Delhi government and municipal workers.
Yasmin says, 'My husband is disabled so now I have to stay home to take care of him and my daughters but before I would go to work relieved that they are at school; where they will not just study but also get fed the midday-meal.'
A section of doctors have ended their strike after meeting Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. However, the sanitation workers and teachers continue to strike.
Farhat's parents haven't given up hope yet, as they believe that education is the only door that can open up a better life for their daughters. But for now, it is the MCD that holds the key to that locked door.