Parents buy crackers, schools campaign against them

Schools across Delhi have been running anti-cracker campaigns for a number of years now but children’s enthusiasm doesn’t seem to have been affected.

Strict checks and warnings from teachers begin from Dussehra to prevent students from bursting crackers on school premises. Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj, this year sent circulars to parents requesting them to check their children’s bags before they left for school. “We have also asked some teachers to come in early and keep a check on students who don’t use school buses. The students participated in making posters about the possible damage from crackers,” Anju Uppal, principal of Ryan International, said.

Parents give in to their children’s demands despite their own fears about safety. Vikas Rohilla took his three sons to the market to buy crackers but did not allow them to buy the loud bombs. “Children will always want crackers. This time we’re buying fewer crackers. They wanted the bombs but I’ve bought them rockets and anaars. At least the noise level stays low,” he said.

Kunal Chaudhary (15), who bought three large bags full of crackers, said, “Diwali comes just once a year, how else are we supposed to celebrate?”

At a government school in Model Basti, Karol Bagh, students were allowed to burst crackers on school premises during Assembly. “They will do it anyway, despite the anti-cracker warnings,” a teacher said. “It’s better if we let children burst a few crackers under supervision than risk injuries ,” the teacher said.

Rajni Arora, principal of Ramjas School, said, “I told all the children that if there are no crackers burst in the school in the two weeks leading up to Diwali, they can all have class parties. ”