Chief Educational Officer A. Gnana Gowri has said that students should not be allowed to participate in demonstrations or agitations during school hours without permission from the Education Department. On Monday, over 600 students of four private schools, led by convener of Salem Citizen’s Forum Piyush Sethia, came to the Collectorate to meet the District Collector.
They wanted to express their concern over felling of trees in the city.
The Collector asked them to come after school hours, and the police personnel denied them entry into the Collectorate.
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Students raised slogans, and waited for one hour near Nattamai Kazhagam.
This drew flak from parents. The CEO asked the school principals to appear in person on Tuesday, and explain why students were involved in demonstrations during school hours.
Two principals, in their written reply, Said that the students came to the Collectorate as part of eco-club activity, and parents were informed.
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Two other principals said that their students were invited to take part in an eco-club rally. They were not ware of any protest demonstration. Ms. Gnana Gowri told The Hindu that involving students in such activities was not allowed. A communication has been sent to all schools asking authorities not to involve students in demonstrations.
A report would be sent to the District Collector for necessary action, she added.