Principals’ suspensions: Parents want thorough probe to unearth truth

Rithu Dravid | NT
Bengaluru

The suspension of two school Principals, Samuel Edwin Christopher of Bishop Cotton Boys’ School (BCBS) and Shanta Susheela of St John’s High School in the city, has sparked a debate about the manner in which these schools function. These premier institutions have a rich legacy, but now they are in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

Many concerned parents are clueless after these developments and want a fair inquiry to be conducted as early as possible. “The school principal alone cannot be held responsible for malfunctioning or misconduct of the institution. He or she cannot be blamed for everything. The committee should be held responsible and a thorough investigation should be conducted. The students and parents are inquisitive and we need to know the truth,” says a middle school parent of BCBS.

Such responses from parents and students create a gap in the development and academic progress of the institution. The diocese has maintained that the suspensions are an “internal” matter, but this has only increased the anxiety among the parents and students. Parents feel that Church-run schools are known for their good value-based education system, and they should make all-out efforts to restore it.

“We hear different shocking revelations about the principals and management of the school and wonder why such corrupt administrators head top-notch institutions. Church-run schools are known for their good value-based education system,” said a concerned parent.

According to Sashi Kumar, General Secretary, Association of Management of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka: “Any disciplinary action taken by a private unaided school is solely the management’s decision. The actual cause of the suspensions is an internal matter and measures to keep up discipline, rules and regulations is a responsibility to be taken by the management of the respective schools. If there is any evidence in such grievance issues, with a notice period to be served, the private unaided school management has all rights to take appropriate measures in a rightful manner. If the parents demand an inquiry, the management and the employees rightfully should heed to their requests and take up corrective measures.”

The parents felt that in order to keep up the objective of a good study culture that fosters diligence, sincerity, and accountability, schools need to keep away from such controversies and promote the pursuit of excellent education to its students.