School under lens for excluding 10 students from online classes

Coimbatore: The school education department has launched an inquiry after a private school in Vadavalli reportedly disallowed 10 students from attending online classes, after their parents criticised the school management.
The PSBB Millennium School refused to let 10 children attend online classes that began on June 1 for Classes I to V after their parents posted messages in a WhatsApp saying the classes were a ploy to collect fees, sources said.
In her communication to the Coimbatore collector, a parent said that the classes began on June 1 and on June 3, her kids were not allowed to attend classes along with their classmates. “They also removed me from the WhatsApp group created by the school to communicate details to parents. I am a member of a parents’ association and had posted a published news item that quoted the school education minister on conducting online classes. When I inquired, the school administration said I was removed from the group as I had posted a message against the school management. But I have not done any such thing,” she said.
An administrative official of the school told TOI that some parents had maligned the school’s name by posting baseless messages on social media. “They had posted derogatory messages about the school’s online classes and also said the school was collecting fees. We had not forced any parent to pay fees,” he said. “Some parents said that attending online classes spoiled their kids’ health. So, the school management decided that if parents were not interested, let their kids not be part of the online classes.”
Chief educational officer (CEO) P Usha has initiated an inquiry into the issue. “I have asked the district education officer to investigate and also asked the school principal to submit an explanation. Based on the outcome of the initial inquiry, we will initiate further action,” she said.