They said they had lost faith in her ability to administer and manage the school.

Earlier, the parents held a two hour demonstration before submitting a memorandum on their grievances to the District Education Office.

Hindraf Makkal Sakthi Chairman P Waythamoorthy, who disclosed this on behalf of the parents, said two grounds were cited for the removal of the headmistress.

Firstly, he claimed, she had failed to take action on the encroachment into the Tamil school grounds by the neighbouring Chinese school, SRK (C) St Leonard.

Secondly, he said, an official of the orphanage, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Yatim Dan Miskin Wawasan Port Dickson, had complained that the headmistress had allegedly instructed a teacher to force a pupil to eat food that he (the pupil) had earlier thrown into a bin.

“This is a great affront to the dignity of unfortunate children,” said Waytha in a telephone interview.

The Hindraf chief, a human rights advocate who is also a senior lawyer in private practice, added that pending action by the Education Ministry, the parents had decided not to send their children to school.

The parents, according to Waytha, will organise their own private classes for their children at a private location.

The parents also resolved to engage Hindraf to represent them in discussions with the Education Minister on the encroachment by the Chinese school and the removal of the headmistress.

Separately, he said, the parents would initiate court action with the assistance of Hindraf on the encroachment into the Tamil school grounds by the Chinese school.

The schools concerned sit on estate land which belongs to Sime Darby. Apparently, the company gave both schools an acre each in 2009. Both the plots are perfect squares.