Chennai: Private schools in Tamil Nadu have withdrawn their scheduled one day strike tomorrow seeking the release of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa who was jailed late last month for corruption. However, school administrators will be participating in a hunger strike in Chennai tomorrow -- the same day that Jayalalithaas bail plea comes up for hearing at the High Court in Karnataka. Any decision by the private schools association would impact around 12,000 schools across the state. The earlier strike call had triggered angry reactions. State Ministers threaten and mount pressure to call for strikes. This is a clear proof of ruling AIADMKs interference in education, said DMK Chief Karunanidhi. Many academicians also complained about the disruption that the strike would induce in the quarterly examinations particularly for children from classes IX to XII. Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary, State Platform for Common Schooling System said the Federation of Associations of Private Schools has no right to declare holiday for schools across the state. Only the government can declare, he added. Mr Babu remarked that irrespective of pressure from the ruling regime, various managements volunteer to appease the state government. Being a school, we cannot allow this. Whats the message that would send? We dont say there cant be protests. In a democracy, we need struggles. But that should be in the constitutionally right way, he said. However, the umbrella body of private schools in the state justifies its earlier closure plan. Many school managements are happy about Jayalalithaas style of governance, thats why they volunteer to express their solidarity. She has streamlined several things in school education. We suffered under the earlier regime, V Pandian, an office-bearer said. Parents are also worried about schools joining the political bandwagon. By taking political sides, schools are endangering lives of our children, said Arun Kumar, a parent who says he wouldnt send his daughter to school tomorrow. He adds I cannot forget how three students were burnt alive in a bus when Jayalalithaa was convicted in a case many years ago. The states film industry which had organized a day-long hunger strike protesting the court decision says there is no pressure from the Tamil Nadu government. I feel the verdict is vindictive, would ruin her political career, said actor Sarath Kumar. It will create which type of environment in the schools of that state............. think a moment..............
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 09:03:31 +0000
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