To what extent can a school go to improve its pass percentage. A school in the city has allegedly harassed students, who are poor in studies, physically and psychologically to quit the school.
United Academy, has been found to have given transfer certificates to 11 students for the year 2010-11 and to 10 students for the year 2011-12, according to a report. The incidents have come to light now.
Likith, son of K M Prakash, a resident of Telugara Beedi, was studying in the school since he was admitted to LKG. However, when the boy was in Class IX, teachers harassed him physically and psychologically for being poor in studies. When his parents questioned the authorities, they asked them to admit him to another school as he was poor in academics and even offered Transfer Certificate (TC). When they refused, the boy was insulted in front of others.
In another incident, Shabaz, son of Nasreen, a teacher in a government school, too was harassed in a similar manner. Shabaz developed mental disorder and tried to commit suicide twice. He was treated by a psychiatrist for three months and later admitted to a different school.
Interesting solution
However, the school had a solution to this problem. Academically-poor students were given TC from United Academy but admitted to Shasta Public School. Though records showed it as a new school, the students were taught at the United Academy itself, said Prakash. However, parents had to pay monthly fee to the Academy and annual donation of Rs 5,000 to Shasta School, he added.
Prakash filed an application under RTI to Block Education Officer to elicit information on the double fee collected from parents.
No action taken
Despite the BEO’s direction, neither United nor Shasta have given any information. Shasta has even replied that it doesn’t come under the RTI Act.
Though Prakash and other parents have lodged complaints to a host of officials and education minister Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri, no action has been taken.
Based on Prakash’s complaint to Kageri, the education department secretary has directed BEO Latha to submit a report. “Till today, the officer has not contacted us,” claims Prakash, who has decided to move court for justice.
School’s version
United Academy’s principal R K Vandana said the allegations were made by people who had personal enmity against the school management. “Five students have been given TC for errant behaviour and not for faring badly in studies,” she added.
During a school trip, the students misbehaved with girl students. “Though all the issues were brought to the notice of parents, instead of correcting their wards, they are making false allegations,” Vandana added.
“The allegation that students have been sent to Shasta School are baseless. Our school has many students who are poor in academics. We give them special coaching,” she added.
DDPI’s statement
DDPI A T Chamaraj said an inquiry has been conducted and a report submitted. “Action will be taken shortly,” he said and added that according to the report 11 and 10 students have been given TCs in 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively.
