TIRUCHI: A matriculation school near Ibrahim Park in the city has been shut down for failing to conform to safety parameters prescribed by the Justice Sampath Commission.

The Commission was set up in the wake of the fire tragedy in a private school at Kumbakonam in 2004, which killed over 90 students.

Acting on its recommendations, the Directorate of Matriculation Schools withdrew recognition to Bharat Matriculation School three years ago. It was functioning from one of the floors of a shopping complex and lacked basic facilities.

The school authorities obtained a stay from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. The stay was vacated in January this year and the school directed to close down at the end of the academic year.

Sources said the school management did not explore the option of shifting the institution to a spacious setting though it was given enough time. The management had reportedly not made any alternative arrangements for the students, despite an assurance it made to the department. It recently convened a meeting of the parents and issued transfer certificates to over 300 students.

The closure has put parents of the students in a fix. They parents are now running from pillar to post to secure admissions for their wards. While a handful of matriculation schools in the neighbourhood have limited seats, parents are also wary of admitting their wards to schools where the fees is high.

The Education Department is willing to prevail upon State Board schools to admit the students. Their admission to government and aided schools will serve the purpose of bolstering the dwindling strength in these institutions, according to Chief Educational Officer K. Swaminathan.

There is no hitch in admitting students of matriculation schools to government or aided schools, points out former Inspector of Matriculation Schools, Tiruchi, Paneer Selvam.

There have been umpteen instances of parents admitting their children to State Board schools from standard V onwards, unable to afford the cost of education in matriculation schools any further, he says.

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