“Students are not allowed to display caste symbols on school campuses”

The school education department warns principals and teachers of disciplinary action if students allow students to display caste symbols on campus. The department mentioned an example where some students recently showed a T-shirt at the annual day event in Krishnagiri area, thus giving Slain Forest Brigand Veerappan the glory of the Forest Brigand Veerappan.

Students from Soppanur government high school danced a movie song and wore clothes representing a political party. This led to parents of other students expressing their dissatisfaction and refusing to send the ward to school.

Some of them filed complaints with relevant authorities, sources from the school’s Ministry of Education said. In a communication sent to all districts last week to the Chief Education Officer (CEO), the school education director said the issue of students showing caste emotions aroused opposition in the form of public complaints.

Play movie songs or allow students to wear any symbol that may represent the community.

If such complaints are received, disciplinary action will be taken against the principal and the teacher.

The CEO was also informed that the state government has approved Rs 1.5 crore for annual plans in public schools to promote students’ literary and cultural talents. In many cases, school students wear wristbands or ribbons to show their caste identity.

The report of the 5th Tamil Nadu Police Commission also requires the education sector to be sensitive to caste discriminatory practices in government and government-assisted schools with serious problems.

The report said the government has banned students from wearing colored wristbands or ribbons related to caste and recommended evenly allowing caste neutral white or black ribbons throughout the state.

Schools that are prone to caste discrimination should not have many teachers belonging to the dominant community.

The police commission continues to recommend tough actions against teachers promoting caste discrimination to move them to faraway places.

“The principal and teachers have a heavy and far-reaching responsibility in guiding children in the right direction. All government and government-assisted schools can be brought within the coverage of a wide CCTV network to identify students who bully other students,” the report said.