SK Garden School Playground in Bengaluru Turns into Garbage Dumping Yard

The playground of Karnataka Public School in SK Garden, near Devara Jeevanahalli in Bengaluru, has turned into a dumping yard as heaps of garbage and construction debris continue to pile up on the premises.

The campus houses two institutions—a primary school and a high school—serving students mostly from economically backward families. According to school staff, nearby residents have been throwing household waste directly onto the grounds because auto-tippers are unable to navigate the narrow lanes in the neighbourhood to collect trash door-to-door.

A staff member at the school stated that despite repeated pleas advising residents not to discard waste on the campus, the dumping has continued. A teacher, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted that waste quickly accumulates whenever conservancy workers fail to clear the grounds, though workers frequently have to step in to clear the site.

Child rights activist Nagasimha G Rao raised serious concerns over the unhygienic conditions, pointing out that garbage, stones, and construction debris create a hazardous environment for children. Rao noted that Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises every child's right to health, sanitation, and protection from environmental hazards, while Article 28 and Article 3 guarantee education and the prioritisation of children's best interests. He urged civic and school authorities alongside the local community to intervene immediately.

Block Education Officer Nasreen Taj stated that she is aware of the issue and has contacted authorities and elected representatives to address the problem. Taj confirmed plans to visit the school soon and convene a meeting of the School Development and Monitoring Committee to address the dumping menace. She added that she has also requested the authorities to rebuild the school's compound wall, which collapsed a few months ago.