Schools in Mysuru witness surge in children with single parents

Shrinivasa.M
Mysuru: Even in a tier II city like Mysuru, the schools are witnessing a rise in the number of kids with single parents. This trend is reflecting in the admission process carried out by several private schools in the last two years.
As a response to the emerging trend, many schools are now sensitising their staff, and holding counselling sessions for parents and students at regular intervals to ensure that the students do not face any challenges in curricular and extracurricular activities.
According to the head of a city school affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), around seven or eight years ago, the number of children with single parents was only 1% to 2% of the new admissions, which now stands at 15% to 20%. “We came across this trend at the time of our admission process. According to our understanding, there are many reasons for this, including family disputes. We are now sensitising our staff on taking care of these children, besides extending regular counselling support to ensure that they do not face any inconveniences,” he said.
“In one such recent incident, a child deserted by both father and mother was being brought up by his grandparents. We try to focus more on these children in the school,” he explained.
E Dhananjaya, a member of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) said increasing incidents of family disputes are leading to these challenges. “There is an increase in the number of complaints we receive seeking support for children due to divorce, and other family matters. We rehabilitate these children in Balamandir or help them join the government-run hostels, or accommodations run by NGOs. This challenge of single parents is growing,” he said.
According to the school heads, they are now providing required counselling and emotional support to both children and parents.
Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools general secretary Shashikumar confirmed that the number of children with a single parent is rising in schools. “Generally, in such cases, both children and parents are over-possessive and over-reactive. The attitude and expectations of the children in the school vary. We conduct counselling sessions and classes where the single parents are trained in skills to cope with the challenges,” he said.
Academician and former VC of Bangalore University MS Thimmappa explained that the best way forward is supporting the children and parents with the required facilities, counselling at the school level. “This will help the students to overcome the challenges associated with single parenting,” he said.