SMC-run school: 46 children given leaving certificates in 7 months, principal suspended

The matter came to light when a parent approached SMSB member Swati Sosa complaining that his three children, studying at Surat Municipal Corporation-run school number 318 at Palanpur Canal Road, were forcefully given leaving certificates by  principal Vijay Zanjrukiya because of irregular attendance. The parent sought Sosa’s intervention saying his family is financially weak.Following the complaint, SMSB launched a primary inquiry when it was found that the school had issued leaving certificates to 46 students until July this year.

Mehul Patel sought an explanation from  principal. However, Zanjrukiya was suspended Wednesday after he failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. The administrative officer also slapped a show-cause notice on Urban Resource Coordinator (URC) Ramesh Patel and Cluster Resource Coordinator (CRC) Sonal Patel for “not reporting the matter” to the municipal school board.

Urban and cluster resource coordinators are teachers specifically recruited to undertake inspections at government and primary schools.

On Thursday, Mehul Patel, along with SMSB chairman Rajendrakumar Kapadiya, visited the school and spoke to the teachers and students, and collected details from the school record.

Zankrukiya could not be reached despite multiple attempts.“We have set up a five-member team headed by District Primary Education officer Jayesh Patel and four other members. The panel will look into individual cases and the reason for issuing leaving certificates. Action will be taken after we get the report,” Mehul said.