In addition to instances of gross violation of the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, like fee/fund collection and corporal punishment, a large number of complaints lodged with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) pertain to non-functional, dirty toilets.
Over 206 of the 800 complaints filed with the NCPCR at a ‘jan sunwai' (public hearing) held here were about such toilets, prompting the five-member jury to direct the administration to submit a report on the status of toilets in all schools at the earliest.
Besides issuing case-specific directions, the Commission also issued a set of general recommendations to the State on developing policies for safety and health in schools.
The jury comprised NCPCR chairperson Shanta Sinha, National Advisory Council member Farah Naqvi, Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti president Vinod Raina, NCPCR member Yogesh Dube and national co-ordinator, RTE Division, NCPCR, Kiran Bhatty.
The jury heard complaints on issues relating to the negligence of school authorities, leading to corporal punishment, collection of fees/funds, denial of admissions/scholarships, and the poor quality of education, classroom transactions, infrastructure and mid-day meal.
Community response
The jury said it was overwhelmed by the community's response and that it was heartening to see 1,400 people sit through the entire day and come forth to depose before the jury.
Shocking injury
In a particularly shocking case, a boy was found to have suffered a permanent hand injury during an unsupervised class hour.
Delay in taking him to hospital and also refusal by the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, according to the victim's family, further aggravated the injury.
The panel was taken aback by the “insensitive” remarks made by the school's vice-principal, as well as his general disregard to the seriousness of the matter.
The jury recommended that there be a detailed investigation by the Commission and that the school maintain a record of such incidents.
Zero tolerance
After hearing a number of cases of children having been asked to sweep, clean and lift construction material, the jury said there would be zero tolerance towards corporal punishment and discrimination and said strict action would be taken in each case.
