MAPUSA: The Parents Teacher’s Association Executive Members of St Thomas Higher Secondary School, Aldona condemned the act of the Provincial/Chairman and Principal for circulating and publishing a circular without their knowledge and consent. They have resolved to take the matter up with the Dept of Education as well as the Superior General, Missionaries of St Francis de Sales.
The press release stated that several parents brought to their notice that the content of the circular dated November 11 and signed by the Principal, Rev.Fr. Jerard Sahayaraj, and expressed surprise and anguish in the facts highlighted. “It is imperative to place before you, the true and correct prospective so that there is no ambiguity on the subject and the parents are not misguided by the signatory of the said circular,” said the PTA members. They added that the subject is extremely sensitive and is required to be dealt with in a rational manner keeping aside one’s ego and attitude.
“The circular reveals that it is alleged therein that for the last 14 months there were few cases of allegations and counter allegations in the school and that the Provincial was notified through the statutory body such as Goa State Human Rights Commission, Goa State Commission for Women and from the Directorate of Education. The fact that the Provincial was notified through statutory bodies mentioned in the said circular was suppressed from the PTA and it is clearly apparent that the Provincial has sought to issue the circular with the sole view of protecting the complainant,” the PTA added, while pointing out that statutory bodies have conducted inquiries and their findings are still awaited.
The PTA also rejected the Provincial’s claims that attempts were made to resolve issues in truth and justice within the established norms. They also referred to the collective representation by the teachers for reconciliation and closure, which was mocked by the complainant.
“We are rather surprised that the Provincial through the Principal has chosen to make a reference of the defamation case when neither of them nor the institution are parties to the said proceedings and therefore the very act of making a reference to the defamation cases further fortifies the fact that the complainant, the Provincial and Principal are in connivance with each other,” the PTA added.
The PTA also stated that they had had requested to give the inquiry findings/report and not a chronological sequence of events. “It is 60 days now and to say that sufficient time to be given to investigating team only appears to be dilatory tactics,” the PTA added.
“The chairman has deliberately not mentioned of a morcha that was conducted by the 2 teachers during the school’s working hours, ” they added.
They stated that issuing a circular to the parents has resulted in diluting the powers and the objectives of the PTA. They claimed that the circular distributed to the parents without the sanction of the Education Dept and without the consent of the PTA is in contravention of law.
“There is no mention of the misconduct of the complainant in the circular, when in fact it is the complainant who actually brought disgrace to the institution,defamed its reputation and divided the society on religious grounds,” the PTA added.
