Akhilesh Joseph is captain of the school’s football team. At an inter-school tournament in December, he was adjudged the best player and the best defender. He was offered a scholarship from St Stephen’s College.

“I have been playing football since I was in Class V. Suddenly, the school is not interested in sports. Brother Pinto told me the school is only concerned about academics,” says Joseph.

James Prakash is a national-level swimmer, a record holder in butterfly stroke. “I have represented my school several times and achieved a lot for it. They are now telling me to get lost.”

“Why can’t we get some grace marks for our achievements,” asks Ashutosh Varma.

A sports coach at St Columba’s says the school’s focus is on academics because “there is no future in sports”. He says: “Not everyone makes it to the international level.”

And he doesn’t agree with the concept of grace marks. According to him, it sets a bad precedent. “Sportsmen can compete academically like any other student, sometimes better in fact.”

Ketan Mehta, who is a member of the school’s, and also the YMCA’s, basketball team, feels the way the school is treating some of its brightest stars is disappointing. “St Columba’s is known for its sporting achievements. I don’t think our former principal would have asked us to leave.”

Hopes of an early resolution were grounded on Wednesday morning, when parents of these students met acting principal Brother Pinto. He made it clear that the students would not be allowed to take a re-test or be promoted to Class XII.

He will, however, reconsider his decision not to allow them to repeat a year in Class XI. Pinto asked the parents to wait till March 26 for his final decision. But with the new academic year at St Columba’s beginning on March 25, the students and their parents are an anxious lot.

“I think he (Pinto) is hoping we will find seats in other schools by then. But which school will take our children? Pinto has suggested open schooling, but why should I deny my son a normal learning environment,” asks Rukmani Mehta, a parent.

Abhishek Gupta has decided to look for another school. “I don’t want to repeat the year. It is an expensive proportion for my parents and I will lose a year.” His mother adds: “Other schools have the option of re-examination if a student fails in a subject. If my son fails in the re-test also, the school can always throw him out.”

She fears Abhishek will face discrimination in the school if he is admitted again.

The stress of leaving St Columba’s is taking its toll.