Section of teachers promote caste pride among students: Chandru

Issue extends beyond confines of educational settings, says former HC judge in his report

-  T MURUGANANDHAM

THE full report of the one-man committee headed by retired judge K Chandru on the measures to be taken to free schools and colleges from caste differences, which was accessed by TNIE, revealed that numerous representations received by the committee from various quarters charged that a section of the teachers themselves are primarily responsible for encouraging casteist feelings among students.

A number of submissions received by the committee stated that in many places teachers acted in favour of their own communities. Some other representations pointed to teachers actively taking part as members of WhatsApp groups maintained by casteist cliques. Many of these submissions have been reproduced in the report.

All instances of caste bias displayed by teachers should be met with severe punishment after appropriate disciplinary proceedings following established rules Retired Judge K Chandru

Justice Chandru said the behaviour of teachers in promoting communal feelings among students and acting with a communal bias has been noted by several respondents to the committee, suggesting teachers be periodically transferred to support administrative efficiency and promote communal harmony.