Emotional scenes as Panapakkam school reopens

Given the nature of the tragedy, the school was filled with parents who came to drop their children. The morning assembly began with the hoisting of the national flag in the presence of local DEO (District Education Officer) Amudha, who also led the students in singing the National Anthem.

A number of students were struggling to hold back their tears. One of the students, a classmate of the victims, fainted, but was quickly revived by the teachers and students.

A sense of gloom pervaded the campus following the tragedy which resulted in the suspension of headmistress Ramamani and class teacher Meenakshi, while another teacher, appointed by the local PTA was ousted, sources stated. Speaking on the occasion, DEO Amudha said that taking such extreme steps was not the right way to solve any problem.

The parents of the victims, accompanied by their relatives, also came to the school. Weeping inconsolably, they demanded to know what action the Education authorities had taken.

Amudha replied that following the suspension, further action would depend on the outcome of the departmental inquiry currently on. Arakkonam DSP, S Kuthalingam said the result of the police inquiry would be handed over to the Education department once it was completed.

Meanwhile, Naam Tamilar Katchi coordinator Seeman on Monday met the parents of Prakash, a student of Chennai-based Kavin’s College of Fine Arts in Egmore, who committed suicide near his Vellore residence recently. Stating that education was totally commercialised, Seeman said many were unable to meet the high demands.

“However the state government has no time for people related issues,” he said, adding that if the authorities failed to take action against those who pushed Prakash to suicide, then the party would agitate for justice.