The four helplines publicised early in November by the matriculation directorate have constantly been buzzing with complaints from parents and students.
The helplines, originally intended to address the grievances of class X and XII students being pressured to appear in board examinations as private candidates, have now emerged as avenues for students to complain about a host of issues at school, including excess fees and corporal punishment.
Over 50 complaints from across the State have been received so far. Of these, around 10 came from in and around the city.
After the Directorate received a complaint from Coimbatore about an incident of a student being pressured by the school to appear as a private candidate, it publicised phone numbers and an e-mail address through which students and parents faced with a similar situation could approach them.
Officials had earlier said that students are sometimes made to appear as private candidates even without the parents’ knowledge.
According to sources, complaints from parents and even a teacher from various classes across the State range from collection of excess fees, punishment meted out to students, long school hours for class X students, as well as pressing students set to appear for board examinations to take transfer certificates.
From in and around the city, the Directorate has received complaints about the collection of an additional amount for a school carnival, other than complaints pertaining to class X and XII students, sources said. A few complaints, however, were not genuine.
R. Pitchai, director of matriculation schools said they planned to keep the channels open to receive complaints and feedback.
“We are forwarding the complaints from districts to the respective inspectors of matriculation schools, who have to visit the school and submit an action-taken report at the earliest,” he said.
Those with complaints can approach the directorate by phone: 044-28270169, SMS: 9442144401/ 9443574633 or email >dmschennai2010@gmail.com
