An agitated parent alleged that the Chettinad Foundation managed by Dr Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar’s great grandson, Annamalai Chettiar, had started the school in 2009 with 750 students and the group expanded to accommodate over 3,000 students in 36 branches across the state.
“The school charges Rs 45,000 per year as fees for kindergarten sections and when we ask why these exorbitant fees, the administrators or the franchisee threaten us with dire consequences. As we had no other option, we continued with the same school but now, citing various reasons, the foundation has decided to close all its branches, leaving us in the lurch,” said a parent.
Over 200 parents gathered in front of the foundation’s office at Rani Seethai Hall in Anna Salai on Thursday to protest against the management’s decision. As time passed, police personnel stepped in to pacify the agitated parents who then went to the state secretariat to submit a petition at the chief minister’s special cell, seeking state government intervention.
“We hope that state government’s intervention will help to save the future of our children,” said a parent waiting at the secretariat. School authorities were not available for comments.
