School suspends teacher over ‘anti-mgmt’ emoji

Kolkata: La Martiniere for Boys School has suspended assistant teacher Susmita Chakraborty, and started disciplinary enquiry against her, for allegedly posting an emoji on social media that was considered ‘anti-management' by the school. The decision stirred former students on social media as she was extremely popular among them.A recent renovation work replacing old steps with marble prompted many former students to react against this move as they have emotional attachment to the historic "south side steps" and Chakraborty allegedly used an ‘angry' emoji in a post. A notice issued by school secretary Supriyo Dhar on Nov 8 said, "This is to inform that Mrs Susmita Chakraborty, assistant teacher, La Martiniere for Boys, has been suspended from her duties with immediate effect in contemplation of a disciplinary enquiry. This action is taken due to alleged involvement in activities deemed anti-management, which are in violation of the standards expected of our staff." Replying to a TOI querry, Dhar only stated, "Suspension pending enquiry."A school official said, "The steps required renovation as they were not in good condition. Some of the former students started criticizing the move, which they can do, but staff and teachers should not get into it." TOI tried to reach out to Chakraborty, but she did not respond.Chakraborty's former colleague Sonia Tandon wrote on social media, "Her emoji was a reaction to a concerned alumni post on the demolition of 175-year-old heritage steps located on the south side of the old La Martiniere school building. The steps were replaced with slippery marble. The old stone steps had symbolic and historic significance since they proudly bore the carved names of many students who graduated from this esteemed school. Mrs Chakraborty has over 30 years of service and is now close to retirement. She has been selfless and dedicated to her students. Why has the school not respected a teacher who transformed more lives than most other teachers could ever?" Aalekh Sharan, a former student, posted: "The school suspending her is not only an injustice against her but teaches students to not have an independent mind." Kolkata: La Martiniere for Boys School has suspended assistant teacher Susmita Chakraborty, and started disciplinary enquiry against her, for allegedly posting an emoji on social media that was considered ‘anti-management' by the school. The decision stirred former students on social media as she was extremely popular among them.A recent renovation work replacing old steps with marble prompted many former students to react against this move as they have emotional attachment to the historic "south side steps" and Chakraborty allegedly used an ‘angry' emoji in a post. A notice issued by school secretary Supriyo Dhar on Nov 8 said, "This is to inform that Mrs Susmita Chakraborty, assistant teacher, La Martiniere for Boys, has been suspended from her duties with immediate effect in contemplation of a disciplinary enquiry. This action is taken due to alleged involvement in activities deemed anti-management, which are in violation of the standards expected of our staff." Replying to a TOI querry, Dhar only stated, "Suspension pending enquiry."A school official said, "The steps required renovation as they were not in good condition. Some of the former students started criticizing the move, which they can do, but staff and teachers should not get into it." TOI tried to reach out to Chakraborty, but she did not respond.Chakraborty's former colleague Sonia Tandon wrote on social media, "Her emoji was a reaction to a concerned alumni post on the demolition of 175-year-old heritage steps located on the south side of the old La Martiniere school building. The steps were replaced with slippery marble. The old stone steps had symbolic and historic significance since they proudly bore the carved names of many students who graduated from this esteemed school. Mrs Chakraborty has over 30 years of service and is now close to retirement. She has been selfless and dedicated to her students. Why has the school not respected a teacher who transformed more lives than most other teachers could ever?" Aalekh Sharan, a former student, posted: "The school suspending her is not only an injustice against her but teaches students to not have an independent mind."
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