Express News Service By

MADURAI: As many as 37 students studying fifth standard in a minority educational institution in Melur near here faced the wrath of the principal for scoring low marks in Bible in the half-yearly examination.

They allegedly suffered corporal punishment at the hands of the school head. Of the 37, two girls, both aged 10, were admitted to Melur government hospital.

According to police, the strength of the class in the popular matriculation school at Chinna Surakundu in Melur is 43. Principal Yesudoss, police claimed, had gone to the classroom on Monday when the school reopened after vacation.

Irked over a chunk of students not getting centum in Bible paper, he has allegedly beaten them with a wooden stick. Only six students had scored centum, while others had secured less than 50 per cent in Bible which is one of the subjects the students have to study and write exams compulsorily.

Since many students had swelling in their legs because of the punishment, teachers gave them first aid treatment.

But two parents, on noticing the swelling on their kids’ legs when they returned home in the evening, enquired them. The girls told them that the principal had assaulted them for their poor performance in Bible.

They admitted them to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai for treatment and also lodged a complaint with the police.

Police advised the school management to pacify them following which the teachers assured that such things would not happen in the future. Based on their promise, the parents have withdrawn the complaint.