TEAM HERALD
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PERNEM: The new academic year has led to a showdown between education authorities and parents of students who had earlier enrolled in Shree Durga English School in Parsem-Pernem.
While the education department has ordered the closure of Stds 5, 6 and 7 of the school this academic year, parents have demanded the resignation of the headmaster and have avowed to get the required number of students to maintain classes.
The government had taken over the Gomantak Education Society’s Shree Durga English School five years ago following alleged financial scam by the management. Parents claimed that since the takeover by the government, the state of the institute has deteriorated.
“The department acted on the verdict of Headmaster Yeshwant Naik without visiting the campus. I request Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to visit or send a representative and hear our pleas and then decide,” said a parent, Rashmi Tamboskar.
On Thursday, the school campus witnessed chaos with parents demanding that the headmaster vacate his post.
Refuting the allegations, Deputy Director of Education for Academics Gajanan Bhat said the decision to close classes was in compliance with the rules, and orders to shut Stds 5, 6 and 7 were issued due to low enrollment.
“We have given relaxation during last 2 years. They tried to increase the enrollment but it was low and therefore a decision was taken to discontinue Stds 5, 6 and 7,” he said.
The headmaster was issued an extension after retirement till the beginning of the school for the academic year 2013-14. The government has not appointed a new headmaster to the school as yet.
The parents expressed displeasure over the situation and have called upon the concerned officials to find a solution quickly.
