The Bangalore Schools Parents Association met to discuss the issue of safety in schools.
Alleged sexual assaults in Bengaluru's schools have left parents deeply worried. On Sunday, the newly-formed Bangalore Schools Parents Association met at the city's Freedom Park to discuss the issue of safety in schools.
Members of the new group hope that by speaking in a united voice, they can force schools and the government to take them more seriously.
Pointing out that outrage without a concrete plan of action can be fruitless, a parent, Maithreyi, said, "Every time an incident takes place, people simmer. In July, there was a big protest, but what happened after that? The government has constituted a 14-member panel. How much can they do?"
The government, she said, should give power to the Parent-Teacher Association. "Let them take responsibility and do periodic audits. First, we are asking that PTA be made mandatory and I have started a change.org petition, in which I am asking that parents be included in the implementation panel, "she said.
Another mother, Asha, agreed. "If parents come together as a group, we can talk to schools and ask for details. As a single parent, I may not be willing to go to the school and ask. If we are in a group, it will be easier."
"Children don't know it is abuse - they think it is love. 'Uncle gave me chocolate after that. Aunty gave me chocolate after that'. So they are confused. They lack vocabulary," added one of the parents, Anu. "And they also have a fear whether they will be believed or not."
The parents were joined by NGOs working in the field of child safety.
Vasudev Sharma from the Child Helpline 1098 said, "We are helping these organisations think properly about how to complain, how to understand the kind remedial measures to be given to the children."
"Parents coming together will definitely help to have larger demand over how schools operate today," said Sridhar, who represented the Namma Bengaluru Foundation.