Haveri (Karnataka) Jul 20 (IANS): Despite Karnataka Education Minister S. Suresh Kumar directing private and aided schools not to deny hall tickets to SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) students under any circumstances, a private aided school in Haveri district denied hall tickets to as many as 30 students on Tuesday.

The students, who were denied hall tickets to write their Class X exams, along with their parents staged a protest before the Deputy Commissioner's office here on Tuesday. The protest was supported by the Students' Federation of India (SFI).

The students protested by writing a mock exam on the road in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office.

The parents alleged that the Mahatma Gandhi High School, a private aided school at Chikkerur in Hirekerur taluk, has refused hall tickets to some students as they were not bright. This was done to ensure good results for the school, they alleged.

Even students scoring more than 70 per cent in earlier exams were denied hall tickets, and some were turned out even after paying examination fees, they added.

The SFI demanded action against the principal of the school and the Block Education Officer (BEO) for denying the students hall tickets.

However, the authorities from the Education Department maintained that the hall tickets were denied due to failure to pay fees and attendance shortage.

But the parents of the students flatly refused this, and demanded action against the school management for spoiling the future of their children.