The Education Department has set up an enquiry committee to probe into the various complaints and grievances of teachers of Pine Mount School, Shillong.
The four-member committee headed by Education Department Secretary Ryntihlang Rapthap has been asked to submit its report and recommendations to the State government at the earliest.
The government has also requested the teachers of Pine Mount School not to resort to any form of agitation “in the interest of the peaceful atmosphere of the school.”
It may be mentioned that teachers of this prestigious government school yesterday resorted to black flag protest to air their grievances over the many deficiencies in the school. They also demanded the removal of school principal Aiom Ksiar Diengdoh who they blamed for the sad state of affairs in the school.
Today, parents of students of the school also extended their solidarity with the protesting teachers and demanded immediate intervention by the authorities of the Education Department to improve the condition of the school.
Speaking to media persons, students and parents said that the school is in a bad shape. They said that water supply is absent besides the problems of unusable toilets, leakage of classrooms and unclean benches and tables.
There were allegations that the food served to boarders at the school was of low quality and not as per specifications.
However, the principal was not available in her office for the last few days making it difficult for parents to meet her and raise their issues.
“The condition and atmosphere in the school was fine in the past but since the present principal took over everything turned upside down. She was not even willing to meet the teachers or parents when they wanted to meet her to discuss their problems,” a teacher said.
Similarly, many parents blamed the principal for the worsening condition of the school.
“Since Diengdoh became the principal, the entire system in Pine Mount School has become crippled and paralysed. She is incapable of running the school and therefore the government should bring a responsible and efficient person to run the school,” a parent said.
Established in 1900, Pine Mount School is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE) and Indian School Certificate (ISC). The school has classes from KG to Class 12.
