Baldwin Boys High School manager sacked after staff protest

Days after the strike in Baldwin Girls High School against the principal, the manager of Baldwin Boys High School was removed from her post after the staff staged a protest that went on from afternoon to night.

Teaching and non-teaching staff handed a memorandum to school chairman Bishop N L Karkare, with a list of their demands which included the dismissal of manager Beena Unni Peter. They sat in front of the school’s administrative office in the afternoon and refused to move till their demands were met.

According to the teachers, the manager was rude and did not speak to them with respect. “Teachers who have been serving here for decades are also treated badly. She has openly told junior teachers that she would harass them,” one of the teachers said.

Since the manager took charge about two months ago, many new rules have been imposed on teachers. “We are not allowed to use our phones even during lunch breaks and free periods. We have to take permission to even visit the bank extension office in the campus. After school hours, we are not allowed to stand in groups and talk. She threatens us saying she will issue memos if we do,” another teacher said. 

Teachers say the school gates were locked to prevent others from joining them and to prevent them from getting in touch with the media. The agitating teachers and non-teaching staff were joined by members of the Old Boys Association towards the evening.

Trouble has been brewing in the institution ever since Bishop Karkare took over, with many unwelcome changes, the alumni said. “Class four employees have been hit really badly. Earlier, their children could study in the school with the tuition fee being waived. Changes have also been made in the provident fund arrangement without our knowledge,”one of the agitators said.

At first, the vice chairman of the institution, Reverend David Nathaniel said they could not remove the manager from the post without notice, especially since she was not in the city. He said they could not remove her without an enquiry. However, the authorities gave in and issued a dismissal order.

The order said, “In view of the complaints received against you from the teachers and staff of Baldwin Boys’ High School, Bengaluru, your additional charge as manager of the school has been withdrawn with immediate effect.”