30 Panapakkam teachers seek transfer following students’ suicide

Vellore Collector SA Raman ordered an inquiry by Ranipet Revenue Department Officer (RDO) V Sekaran, who visited the campus in this connection on Wednesday. However, when Vellore Chief Educational Officer (CEO) S Mars arrived at the venue, all the 30 permanent teachers handed over letters seeking a transfer to other government higher secondary schools, citing extreme stress. They also claimed to have received threats over the telephone. 

When he arrived at the school, permanent teachers requested transfers. Although the CEO accepted the letters, whether their pleas will be heeded remains unclear. It may be recalled that following the tragedy on November 24, school head, Ramammani and class teacher Meenakshi were both suspended first, while a departmental inquiry was under way. This was followed by the CEO ordering the en masse removal of 18 temporary teachers, appointed on a monthly salary of Rs 10,000, by the school’s Parent Teachers Association.

The Tamil Nadu Teachers Association has instructed all teachers across the state to wear black badges to school on Thursday, to condole the death of four Class 11 girl students of Panapakkam Government Girls Higher Secondary School. 

PK Ilamaran, state president of the Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Association said, “It is unfortunate that the students have committed suicide because a teacher had asked them to bring their parents to the school. Students should understand that the parents-teachers’ co-operation is essential to understand a students’ problems and teach accordingly,” the release stated. 

It also expressed shock and condemned the removal of headmaster and the class teacher for the incident. and sought job guarantee.