Commission for Anglo-Indian schools

Updated on: Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The All India Minority and Weaker Sections’ Council (AIMWSC) has announced that a commission will be set up to ascertain the number of minority students studying in Anglo-Indian schools.

“It needs to be probed if these schools still deserve to enjoy the benefits offered to minority institutions. One should look into the number of Christian students studying in these schools,” Ramen Bhattacharya, AIMWSC member and a former MP, said at a press conference on June 19.

The council wants the state government to immediately appoint an inspector of Anglo-Indian schools, already a sanctioned post.

“After the unfortunate incident involving La Martiniere for Boys on February 12, the inspector of Anglo-Indian schools should have visited the institution, probed the incident and submitted a detailed report to the state government, which could have been the basis for taking punitive action against the school if necessary,” said council president Anthony Arun Biswas.

He alleged that most Anglo-Indian institutions were not abiding by the guidelines prepared for them. “There are several complaints of misconduct and financial irregularities against several such schools. These allegations need to be probed,” said Biswas.

Council members announced that they would send an inquiry team to La Martiniere for Boys which will speak to the school authorities and the guardians.

“We will have to find a way to control these Anglo-Indian schools. Charges against teacher Sanjay Smart suggest that some teachers working with these schools are even involved in a money-making racket,” said Biswas.

The council urged political parties to look into the plight of poor Anglo-Indian families.

Commission for Anglo-Indian schools

More Education news