A much-loved La Martiniere for Boys teacher resigned on Wednesday after 31 years of service, triggering dismay among legions of former students and allegations of humiliation by the management.

Susmita Chakraborty, an English teacher at the school since 1993, told Metro she loved her school but was feeling “claustrophobic”.

“I love my school and my boys. Our boys are the best and they rise to any occasion. I was feeling claustrophobic and resigned because my health was not permitting me to continue.”

The school suspended her in November in “contemplation of a disciplinary enquiry” for her “alleged involvement in activities deemed anti-management”.

She obtained a stay on the suspension from the city civil court on Monday and the order restrained the “Opposite Parties from giving effect to the suspension notice” till December 19.

Chakraborty had joined La Martiniere when she was 27 and still awaiting her BEd results. She was slated to retire in December 2025.

She first taught history and English in middle school before moving to higher classes. Over the past 15 years, Chakraborty taught English to Classes IX to XII.

Chakraborty did her schooling in Birmingham, graduation from Loreto College and master’s from Calcutta University.

She had worked under five principals: Donald Alney, Richard Flynn, Sunirmal Chakravarthi, John Rafi, and the incumbent acting principal, John Stephen.

At the time of her interview, Alney had asked: “What makes you tick?” She had said “challenges”, a friend close to her said.

Many students and colleagues would vouch for that.

She directed several stage productions and inter-house plays giving up her summer vacations. Some were so successful that they became part of the La Martiniere lore.

Chakraborty directed The Lion King, Kung Fu Panda, The Wind in the Willows, The Importance of Being Ernest, Arms and the Man, Macbeth and School of Rock, a joint production of the girls’ and boys’ schools.

She believed in “education that went beyond the textbook and kindled the thinking powers of a student”, a friend said.

La Martiniere for Boys accepted her resignation. “She (Susmita Chakraborty) has resigned on health grounds. We will give her all her terminal dues. She was a dedicated teacher with 31 years of service,” said Supriyo Dhar, secretary, La Martiniere schools.

The Association of La Martiniere Alumni (Alma) expressed its “deep dismay over the unjust treatment meted out to Mrs Susmita Chakraborty”.

“For the past several weeks, Mrs Chakraborty, despite her sterling record of academic service to the School, has been subjected to relentless harassment by the administrative authorities of the School, including mental torture, public humiliation, illegal suspension...,” said Vishal Jhajharia, president, Alma.

“The incorrect, illegal and malafide actions of the school authorities have not only tarnished the dignity of an esteemed educator but also cast great indignity on the esteem and reputation of the School. Alma understands that the school authorities have coerced Mrs Chakraborty into resigning from her services, which Alma believes is due to the relentless harassment and humiliation she endured,” an Alma release said.

“Alma demands immediate remedy of the wrong committed by the school authorities by reinstating Mrs Chakraborty and ensuring that henceforth no other teacher of La Martiniere faces such horrific humiliation,” the release added.

A former student, Rachit Lakhmani, who was her counsel in the latest court battle, said: “Her classes were not confined to English literature, which was her subject. She exposed her students to a variety of things, which included music and dramatics. She encouraged her students to pursue creative fields beyond the curriculum.”

Sonia Tandon, who worked with Chakraborty for 10 years and is now in the US, told this newspaper that she was “bewildered”.

“She always had health issues but disregarded them and put her students first. I can’t believe the woman who would dedicate her life to La Martiniere and stay back after school hours ‘because my students need me’ has had to face this,” said Tandon.

Her former colleagues remember her as a hardworking teacher who would sometimes also indulge the boys.

“I am surprised that she offered to resign. She will miss the school and the school will miss her. I remember her as a popular, hardworking teacher who was there for the boys. She gave all of herself and with one more year to go she would have contributed much to the school,” said former principal, Sunirmal Chakravarthi.

Former student Ahon Gooptu said he was “furious”.

“In Class VII, I played a small role of a peach tree in Kung Fu Panda and in Class XII, I was Lady Macbeth. Our school would get over at 1.40pm and the rehearsals would start at 2.15pm. Ma’am would pay so each of us at least had a sandwich and juice before we went in for our rehearsals,” said Gooptu, who graduated in 2017.