'I want to become CM, Bhupendra Dada, listen to our request': 320 students of Tapi Maiya English School pushed into tin shed, sent transfer messages on WhatsApp, parents-students on hunger strike

"I want to grow up to be the CM, but now I have to agitate to save my education. My only prayer to CM Bhupendrabhai Patel Dada is to accept our request and give us justice," said a student of Class 2 of Tapi Maiya Primary School (No. 354) in Mota Varachha area of Surat. For the last 5 days in Surat, parents and children have been sitting on a hunger strike and dharna in the school premises amidst the scorching sun to save their own school. The sudden decision to shift around 320 English medium students of School No. 354 to School No. 309 (Gusaiji Primary School, Ramchowk) has sparked outrage among the parents of Varachha. Parents have been forced to go on a dharna for the future of these children, including a father who has broken his leg but has joined the protest with the help of a wheelchair and a crutche for the last three days. 5 days before school reopens on WhatsApp! The biggest allegation of the parents is that this decision was taken by the education committee of the Surat Municipal Corporation on May 14, 2026. However, the parents were kept in the dark and just five days before the school started on June 2, a message was left on WhatsApp saying that from now on, your children will have to be sent to school number 309. "What could be more shameful for the government than having to fast in the scorching sun for their children's education?" the parents asked angrily. "How can the children study under the sheds of flaming sheets?" Parents and students went to see the status of the newly allotted Gusaiji Primary School (No. 309) when they received the transfer message. Seeing the reality there, the parents were shocked. "When we went there, we found that there were no classrooms or benches for the children to sit. There are no doors or windows in the classrooms. Neer Sojitra, another student, alleged, "Despite donations worth crores of rupees, children are being made to sit under a flaming tin shed. In the afternoon, the sheets are so hot that it is difficult to stand there for 5 minutes. In this heat, our parents are rushing to ensure that our future is not ruined. If anything happens to us, the education committee will be responsible." The decision was taken without the approval of the SMC. Vasudev Rameshbhai Goa, a parent sitting on the dharna, said, "This Tapi Maiya Primary School was built in the year 2022 exclusively for English medium children. According to the rules, it is mandatory to take the written consent of 75% of the parents of the SMC (SMC - School Management Committee) before taking such a big decision in any government school. But there has been no meeting or public hearing. English medium children are being forcibly evicted from here on the pretext that admissions in Gujarati medium are full, which is totally illegal." No Consent: Unilateral decision taken without the knowledge or consent of parents or SMC. Poor Infrastructure: New School No. Lack of basic amenities like benches, windows, doors in 309 and crisis of tin sheds. Greater distance: Students will now have to travel longer distances to study, which poses a security problem. Mental Torture: For the last 5 years, the education and mental development of the children associated with this school has been negatively affected. Parents' firm demand: "Change the decision, otherwise we will sleep here" Parents will not move an inch unless they give a written assurance Parents and students have made a clear threat that they are fighting for their rights peacefully and legally. Unless the education department withdraws its decision and English medium classes will be held in school no. They will not move an inch from the school compound unless they give a written assurance to continue in 354. 'My request to Dada is to listen to our voices' "I want to grow up and become the CM, but now we have to sit under this flaming tin shed and agitate," said Sojitra Neer, a student. My request to CM Bhupendrabhai Patel Dada is to listen to our voice. Our parents have been running in the sun for five days so that our education and future are not ruined. We're not going to get up until we get our school back.' 'There are no windows and doors in the classrooms!' "We got a message on WhatsApp four to five days before the school started that you have to go to another school. When we went to the new school (No. 309), there were no classrooms or benches for the children to sit, and there were no windows or doors in the classrooms. This school is built for our English medium, but they still want to kick us out of here. Where do we have to sit and where to study?" Now the eyes of the whole of Surat are on the education department of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the state education minister whether they listen to the intestines of these innocent children in the scorching heat or whether the system is adamant on its stubbornness.