Mukherjee (right) gheraoed by students in her office. Picture by Anirban Choudhury

Alipurduar, May 9: Twelve Class XI students of Alipurduar Girls’ High School today confined the headmistress, Kumkum Mukherjee, to her office for almost four hours, demanding promotion to the next class.

The protesters, who started the gherao at 1pm, claimed that although 40 other students were “considered” for the next class despite poor marks, they were detained by the school authorities on the same grounds. This year, 166 students had appeared for the annual exams.

The guardians of the 12 students also joined the protest. “My daughter scored poor marks only in history, although she fared better in four other subjects. When the authorities can consider for promotion 40 students who did not pass, why cannot they allow the 12 students as well,” said Kalyani Pal. The authorities could have invited the guardians of the students and cautioned them, she added.

Another student, who also reportedly scored good marks in four subjects except history, alleged that the answer scripts were shown neither to them nor to the guardians. “I am sure I cannot score so low in the subject,” she said.

The headmistress said: “We considered almost 40 students for promotion because they were close to the pass mark, which is 30. But these 12 students scored very low marks. ”

According to Mukherjee, the protest has disturbed the academic environment of the school. “I have already sent the list of successful students to the education board. I do not see any scope to take the 12 students this year,” she added.