I want to get school going: S. Sujata

Chennai: Even as the ongoing vigil, by parents and teachers, against the management of Bala Vidya Mandir school continues, principal S. Sujata, appointed a day before the school’s reopening, has made resumption of regular classes, affected by the protests, her top priority. In an interaction with Deccan Chronicle on Friday, Ms Sujata said teachers must realise their duty towards students.

Q) When were you told that you were taking over as principal? What was your initial reaction?
The process that led to my appointment took place two to three days before June 3, when it was made official through a circular issued to the parents. I was asked to come in by the management; however I sought time. On June 3, I gave my consent because I have to uphold the integrity of the school. I have worked in different capacities at BVM, including as a teacher since 1994. I have taught the alumni, some of whom are currently parents taking part in the protests. How can I deny myself an opportunity to lead this prestigious institution?

Q) Do you receive day to day instructions form the management? What do they want?
Yes. All they want is for the school to remain open and teachers to come in. The problem, as far as we know, has been resolved. See, the prime problem was what they claim was fee apartheid which has now been resolved. And, beyond this, if the focus is taking different dimensions, I have no comments to make. As of today, it is priority to make sure parents send their children in.

Q) No institution wants a bad image or adverse publicity. Was the management taken aback by the course of events?
Only a few parents are protesting and there are people working behind the scenes. They are stopping other parents who are willing to send their kids to school, but are being prevented from doing so. We have received several complaints in this regard and I am banking on the management to work on it. What has surprised me the most are the teachers who have worked for 25 years! If they really feel for the children, they should have worked and not got influenced by a few crowd-pullers. They should have let the entire controversy be resolved by the management.

Q) What is the current status?
The most controversial issue of the fee has been removed. We have agreed to abide by the common fee structure and charge the amount. The remaining amount will be refunded. What more do the parents want? I don’t understand. If the controversy is politically focused on the ego clashes of two entities, tell me in what way can I help the institution? We are very clear on three points: We have announced the single fee structure as per the fee determination committee. Further, no HoDs or vice-principals have been suspended or removed. Thirdly, the former principal was being only transferred, just like I was (moving from Perungudi to Adyar).

Q)The teachers sitting outside the school’s gates, have said they will only return when former principal Srinivasa Raghavan is reinstated. Do you think it will be a struggle to convince the teachers sitting outside, to work under you?
For me, students, parents and teachers are important stakeholders. As the leader of the institution, the first task is to motivate all my teachers to work as a team, keeping in mind the interests of students and not get carried away by personal conflicts. We have formed a new school management committee and have requested the SMC to come to a consensus and hold talks with the teachers.

Q) Do you think the brand image of the school has been affected?
I feel the current situation need not have gone to this extent. It is a sad state of affairs that an empire and an image built by the hard work of past teachers has been brought down based on personal conflicts of people. This is not in the general welfare of the school.