After a viral video showcased the dilapidated state of Mogappair Primary School’s properties, that was used as a polling booth during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the child’s parents, the school committee chairman, and an educational activist were purportedly threatened by officials and the 92nd ward Congress councillor for exposing the matter.
Before the elections, the school administration had urged for the maintenance of cleanliness and preservation of the premises post-polling. Following the elections, a video featuring Ahimsa, a student in UKG at Mogappair Primary School, emerged, revealing her distress over the school’s condition, including litter strewn about and broken slabs in classrooms. Ramya Bala, Ahimsa’s mother, explained that the video was shared after her daughter expressed distress regarding the broken slabs in her classroom.
A student voices concerns about her school's state after #LokSabhaElection. Despite numerous petitions to the #TamilNadu School Education Department, educators report no action taken to prevent recurring damage. The Hindu had covered this before the election:… pic.twitter.com/ibfEz5YLrA
— Avantika Krishna (@AvantikaKrish) April 20, 2024
However, this was taken seriously by both the councillor and education officials accused them of conspiring against the government. Furthermore, they were subjected to questioning about their parenting, and access to the school was restricted without prior permission. Members of the School Management Committee (SMC) claimed that education officials and the councillor held a meeting where resolutions were passed against them. These resolutions included barring SMC members from entering the school premises or raising queries, along with threats of police intervention.
Education officials and Congress councillor KV Thilagar refuted these claims, with Thilagar stating that he encouraged parents to bring issues to his attention before resorting to social media, and denied any involvement in threats.
(with inputs from TNIE)
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