Government school students in Kovai protest high fees, block road for 2 hours

“Unable to pay the excessive fees, two students recently dropped out. Class 12 students have to cough up Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 for their studies. Money is collected from the students even to pay the electricity bills. However, receipts weren’t given for the same and the school authorities too never respond to such queries,” said a protesting student.

The students also alleged that the slippers, meant to be given free for students, were sold for Rs 100 a pair in the neighbouring Kerala state. “About 50 pairs of such slippers were sold at Vannamadai in Kerala. Also, a toilet, built by a voluntary organisation for the students, has been kept locked. Further, teachers have been forcing us to get our uniforms stitched only in specific shops to earn commission from it,” the students said.

The students studying Classes 6 to 10 weren’t given new books and are forced to bring old books on their own. Smart classes haven’t commenced in the school, which boasts of a student strength of 746, including 219 students from the higher secondary class. There are 33 teachers including Head Mistress Aruna Devi. As students hit the arterial road, that connects the Kerala state, traffic came to a standstill on the long stretch.

Despite talks by the police and the revenue officials, the students refused to give up and sought the presence of Pollachi CEO to take up their grievances. “We hail from poor families. We have chosen to study in a government school as we are unable to pay high fees in private institutions. Hence, the school must stop collecting excess fees,” said a girl student.

On hearing their grievances, Pollachi CEO Nasrudeen assured the excess money collected from them will be returned promptly. He entrusted a teacher to gather and submit details to him about the money collected from each student.

“Government schools can collect only Rs 50 for Parent Teachers Association (PTA) and nothing more. Enquiries will be held to know if freebies like slippers were sold in the black market in Kerala. Other irregularities will also be looked into and action will be taken against the erring teachers,” he said.

Thereafter, the students ended their two-hour-long protest and returned to their classes around 11.45 pm.