CHENNAI: The principal of a government school has been suspended following an incident where tribal students were made to clean the school toilets. The incident occurred at a government school in Palakkodu, Tamil Nadu, where around 150 tribal students are studying. The action was taken after videos of female students cleaning toilets went viral on social media.

Parents have alleged that their children are often forced to clean toilets, and school premises, and even carry out other tasks under threat. They also mentioned that the students return home every day exhausted. One of the videos doing rounds on social media shows girls, wearing their uniforms and barefoot, cleaning toilets of the school.

“We are deeply disappointed with the state of our children's education. We send them to school to study, not to clean toilets. The children come home so tired that they can't even do their homework. When we ask why, they say it’s because of the tasks they are made to do at school. The teachers there are not teaching the students properly,” said Vijaya, a parent.

The viral video has caused widespread concern among parents. The District Education Officer has assured a thorough investigation into the incident and promised appropriate action will be taken.