Coronavirus: Action against 10 schools for forcing teachers to work during shutdown

Hyderabad:  Openly flouting government order, several private schools have asked teachers to report to work despite the shutdown notice announced by the education department as a precautionary measure against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Seemingly upset with private schools, state’s education minister Sabitha Indra Reddy has asked Special Chief Secretary of Education to initiate action. Following which 10 schools were served a notice to enforce fully closure. ‘Action has been taken against them for disobeying government instructions’, the order said.

The matter was taken up by the Telangana state education department following complaints received through the social media. Responding to it, Education Minister Sabita Indira Reddy took to social media, she tweeted, “Informed Special Chief Secretary (Education) and requested to take strict action on the management, which are not obeying the government orders” tweeted Reddy.

Sir,

Strict instructions have been issued to ensure closure of all educational institutions. Today, 12 notices have been issued in Hyderabad to certain schools. Govt teachers & Jr lecturers are on duty. Pvt sector institutions will be calling staff on turn duty. https://t.co/8CQdTnsa5t

— Telangana State Education Department (@TSEduDept) March 16, 2020

However,  least 16 schools in the twin cities, all of them private, were reportedly functioning on Monday. While some of the schools recorded zero to low attendance, teachers and staff have been asked to report to work.

“Chirec public school in Gachibowli is open. When I asked the reason, the receptionist disconnected the call. They have asked teachers to report for book distribution. It seems this is just an excuse,” said Ajith Nair, a parent.

The private schools which have asked the staff to report to work include M.A Ideal School, Kishan Bagh, Rosebuds High school in Sanathnagar, Sri Chaitanya Olympiad School in Dilsukhanagar, Rosary Convent High School Abids, Narayana Olympiad School Adibatla, Kidzee in Shaikpet, Prathiba High School Madhura Nagar, Silver Drops Prashanthi Hills, Olive International School, Khajaguda, Ocimum international school, Bowenpally, St Andrew’s school Bowenpally, VIP International School Falaknuma, New Chaitanya High School in Amberpet and others.

 “The tenth class hall tickets were received on Saturday and we need to complete distribution. Since holidays was announced suddenly, many children have not got notebooks and textbooks. Parents are calling us.  Plus, term fee collections have not been done. Many parents are yet to clear dues. By month-end, we need to pay salaries to teachers and staff,” said Vasireddy Amarnath, chairman of Slate School, Abids.

Meanwhile, people have also reported that some colleges are also functioning. Students from Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Gandipet, S.R Engineering College, Warangal, and Sphoorthy Degree College Diilsukhanagar, said their institutions are still functioning.