Education activists have accused the officials of School Education Department (SED) of being apathetic in restricting the private schools from conducting the special classes for Class 10 and 12 across the district. They said that defying the circulars of the SED and orders of the High Court, most of the private schools continue to conduct special classes to the students. While the parents of the students are not ready to file a complaint, the officials were rarely inspecting the private schools after the students or activists file a complaint with them, they added." A WhatsApp message which was sent by the authorities of Tenkasi based private school to the parents asking the latter to send their children for the special classes went viral recently. Few schools are conducting the classes on the terrace of the school building. Instead of going for periodic inspection, the officials are waiting for someone to file a complaint," said, A Diravidamani, an activist.
Speaking to Express, a government school headmaster wishing anonymity said that the schools located in Tirunelveli, Palayamkottai, Cheranmahadevi, Valliyur, Sankarankovil, Alangulam and several other towns are conducting special classes. "Ironically, some of such schools are in the walkable distance from the office of the Chief or District or Block Educational Officer," he added.
Speaking to Express, a student from Alangulam said that he was forced to attend the special classes by his parents fearing that they would be targeted by the school management if they would not send their child to the special classes. "I just completed Class 11 and will join Class 12 in the upcoming academic year. I thought of enjoying summer vacation with my friends but my dream was destroyed by our school management. I feel that I should have studied in a government school," he rued. When asked if SED has taken action against private schools conducting special classes, Chief Educational Officer Bala said, "We do not any action against such school. If we receive any complaint against the particular private school, we advise its authorities not to conduct special classes."
