Students of Government Girls Higher Secondary, Periyampatty, here staged a road blockade on Tuesday demanding appointment of teachers for higher secondary classes.
The school with a strength of 700 students was a high school until last year, when it was upgraded to a higher secondary school. However, no accompanying teaching staff was inducted to match the upgadation. The school has a teaching staff of 20 members, which includes the school headmistress.
According to the protesting students, the higher secondary sections of Plus I and Plus II has over 300 students. However, even as the school was upgraded to higher secondary school, teachers were not appointed. Last year, teachers from the neighbouring Government Boys Higher Secondary School were asked to classes. However, this year, since the start of the academic year two weeks ago, the teachers’ vacancies were not filled up. Also, the teachers from the neighbouring school, who were temporarily brought in for teaching were also not available.
Crucial subjects such as Computer and Commerce did not have teacher, it has been alleged. The students demanded that postgraduate teachers be immediately appointed to teach their subjects.
Speaking to The Hindu, Udhayakumar, former member of Parent-Teacher Association(PTA) of Periyampatty Government Girls Higher Secondary School said the students have been coming to school and sitting idle and leaving for home. “There is no PTA in the school anymore,” said Mr.Udhayakumar.
Police and the revenue officials led by Tahsildar rushed to the spot and pacified the students. The students were assured that their grievance would be taken up to the authorities, following which, the students dispersed.