The call by the Federation of Private Schools to remain shut for a day, in view of the ransacking of a private school in Pochampalli of Krishnagiri district, received lukewarm response on Friday.
According to the Directorate of Matriculation Schools, only six groups of schools in the city had declared a holiday. However, the response to the bandh was better in some districts.
Confusion prevailed among many schools and parents after the directorate had sent a circular that it would not encourage schools to strike. With first-term examination happening in most schools, it was a normal working day for a majority of private schools. Schools including the DAV Group of Schools, Adarsh Group of Schools and Alfa Group of Schools remained closed.
According to spokespersons of most managements, it was not an agitation against the government. Rather, it was a call to express solidarity with the Pochampalli school incident. K. Devarajan, Director of Matriculation Schools, said the federation should have explained their stand to the government that it was not a protest. “If it was to show solidarity, we would have approved the closure,” he said. Mr. Devarajan said schools that were closed on Friday would have to give an explanation.
