RAIPUR: In a case of corporal punishment from Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district, an eight-year-old girl has been left unable to walk after her teacher allegedly forced her to perform 100 sit-ups and beat her with a stick for stepping out of the class to use the toilet. The incident that took place on Wednesday came to light on Friday.The class 2 girl student at a govt-funded school in Pratapgarh is now undergoing treatment at a private hospital where doctors confirmed muscle damage in her legs. The district education officer has ordered an inquiry into the incident.Surguja DEO Dinesh Jha told TOI that he got the information about the matter and has ordered an inquiry into it. “The block education officer along with a team has been asked to visit the school, record statement of teachers, students and principal. Prima facie, it’s clear that something unpleasant has definitely happened with the girl, but the teacher in question doesn’t take any class for the girl, is what I have gathered.”
Poll
Do you believe corporal punishment should be banned in schools?
We are looking into CCTV footage as well and will get the accused punished after the probe, the DEO said.However, as the matter escalated, Regional officer, DAV Institutions, Chhattisgarh zone has ordered a compulsory leave for indefinite period to the mother teacher Namrata Gupta and principal Rajiv Singh, in charge DAV Mukhyamantri Public School, Pratapgarh, Sitapur.The girl told reporters that she was on her way to the toilet when she was stopped by a woman teacher. When she explained that she was going to the toilet, the teacher struck her twice with a stick and then ordered her back to class, where she was punished with 100 sit-ups. Soon afterwards, the girl complained of severe pain below her knees and collapsed.The doctors treating her said her leg muscles have developed cracks due to the strain, leaving her unable to stand or walk. “The pain is so severe that she cannot lift her legs,” said her uncle, who is caring for her while her father works in Ambikapur.The minor girl’s family alleged the school management dismissed their complaints, saying “there was no fault on our part”. ‘We will approach police if school continues to be in denial mode.”“Days have passed since the incident. My daughter is still crying in pain. This is not discipline—it is brutality in the name of teaching,” her mother said.Block education officer Indu Tirkey said that a departmental team will probe the matter within two days. “If the teacher is found guilty, strict action will follow,” she said.
About the Author
