CHENNAI: Greater Chennai Corporation issued a showcause notice and transferred the head mistress and a teacher of a primary school in MGR Nagar after the teacher made public batch details with names and caste of students.
The leak revealed that a particular class had been segregated based on caste when the usual practice is to divide students into batches in alphabetical order.
While the civic body’s education department said this was unintentional, it set up an inquiry committee to look into the issue and added that action would be taken as per rules.
The issue came to light when the details were shared on a WhatsApp group with both students and parents a day before the school reopened on November 1. Corporation deputy commissioner, education, D Sneha told TOI that no other school divided students on the basis of caste. “We are checking this and will set it right, if it is found elsewhere too,” she said. On Tuesday, a fresh list for Class IV B in alphabetical order was again shared in the group.
The hea mistress, who is in-charge of the school, reiterated that the teacher did not mean to make the caste details public. “The teacher has helped a lot of students get scholarships and helped them improve in their academics. We usually note down caste details of all students in a register as the state announced many schemes for certain castes. This is done routinely just for their benefit and not to discriminate them. But I agree, sharing it on the group was a mistake. It was unintentional,” she said.
One of the activists who brought this to light said parents were aware that caste details are collected for the purpose, but making the data public was unfair. “This kind of discrimination takes place in many private schools. We wanted to set a precedent so discrimination based on caste doesn’t happen in any school. Students look up to teachers. They must be fair and very cautious when it comes to such issues. Even when children are eligible for welfare schemes, they are called out openly in front of everyone which may make things awkward,” the activist told TOI on condition of anonymity.
A student from a government school told TOI he felt embarrassed when called up to collect free slippers and bags as part of a scheme for SC students. “While I wanted it badly, all my friends are now aware of my caste and it makes me feel like I’m beneath them,” he said.
