Mumbai: Kandivli junior college to be show-caused over party

Students at the farewell party of Jiten Mody Junior College in Kandivli

At a time when schools and colleges across the city have been asked to remain closed, a Kandivli junior college has come under the scanner for holding a farewell party for its Std XII students. The state education department said that this was in complete violation of the COVID-19 rules and that it would be sent a show cause notice and asked to explain the move.

The invititation for the farewell

Jiten Mody Junior College in Kandivli held the farewell party on March 13 and it was attended by a number of students. The photos of the event have raised questions about the growing opposition from parents to in-person board exams to be held in April and May. Many argued that parents seem to have no objection to their wards attending farewell parties.

"The photos clearly show that social distancing norms were not followed as nobody was wearing masks," shared a parent. Kapol Vidyanidhi International School, attached to the college, had come under the scanner last month for holding in-person Std IX exams.

"Parents are scared to speak up against the management, especially if the child is to appear for board exams," said another parent. According to some parents, Kapol Vidyanidhi too had allegedly held a farewell function for Std X students last month.

When contacted, Jiten Mody principal Dr Reshma Hegde said that it was not a farewell party but a felicitation programme and that they had permission for it. She said, "We have permission to hold functions with less than 100 participants. Limited students attended the event and we followed all regulations set by the education department.

However, Deputy Director of Education, Sandip Sangave, said, "This is clear violation of the regulations amid a pandemic. The local education inspector will take action in the matter."

"We will send a show cause notice to the school and ask them to explain their stand within three days following which the further course of action will be decided," said an official from the north zone education inspector's office.