School shows the door to married girl student

[sajiv]

School shows the door to married girl student

CUDDALORE: A schoolgirl who got married at the age of 17 has been denied permission to continue her education in a missionary school here. The school management's stand has been endorsed by the Parent Teacher Association.

The girl from Thirupadiripuliyur got married during vacation after completing Plus One in March 2009 from St Anne's Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Cuddalore.

When school re-opened, the management refused her permission to join Plus Two, maintaining that as a matter of policy the Immaculate Heart of Mary Congregation (that runs the school) did not allow married girls to continue schooling.

It issued the transfer certificate and refunded the fees paid by the student.

The parents represented before Chief Educational Officer P. Kuppusamy. The CEO told The Hindu that the department had directed the school to admit the student to Plus Two. Being an aided institution it was bound to comply with the instruction. If the school did not oblige, the department would take up the matter with the State government.

Headmistress Hermin Ignatius told this correspondent that there was no going back on the policy.

The girl was underage when she married. Her presence would vitiate the atmosphere. Ms. Ignatius claimed that the parents had obtained the TC and the fee refund on their own. Later, bowing to external pressure, they had staked claim for her continuation in the school.

At a meeting convened here on Friday, a majority of parents opposed the student's re-admission and decided to write to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, supporting the management's decision.