Navi Mumbai: The Ryan group of schools is in the news once again for all the wrong reasons. This time, it is St. Joseph’s High School in New Panvel, whose seven teachers and a supervisor surrendered on Thursday before the Panvel court and were granted bail.
The Child Welfare Committee of Raigad district had filed a complaint with the Khandeshwar police after parents of students complained about fee hike and harassment.
Ramakrishna Reddy, Raigad district child protection officer, said that they recorded statements of nine students. “Apart from the fee hike, there were complaints of harassment by the teachers. Last year, a Class X student tried to commit suicide as he was not allowed to write his exam.”
Meanwhile, a parent, on the condition of anonymity, said that each class has two sections: A and B. Students whose fees are pending and whose parents have been participating in protests against the school, are in section B.
“The B section is a neglected lot. Most of the time, no teacher goes to the section. When students enquire, they are told to study on their own. They are mentally tortured. The B section even has a different prayer, which says how their parents should get enough strength to pay fees.”
When the CWC, even after receiving complaints, did not take action, Panvel City Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Commissioner Sudhakar Shinde intervened and asked the CWC to file a police complaint.
“Mr. Shinde had asked the CWC to file a report to the civic body’s education department based on the complaints received. The Zilla Parishad too had sent a letter to the education department asking it to cancel the recognition of the school, which is pending with them,” said an official from the education department.
On November 11, a case against a teacher and the principal was registered after parents alleged that the teacher hit students with a duster for not bringing a particular book. This had allegedly caused a hairline fracture to one of the students. “The school now doesn’t have a principal and neither do proper classes happen. They mostly have off-periods. We are worried about our child’s education,” the parent said.
“As per the CWC’s complaint, we registered a case and are recording the statements of the students. In such cases, the statements that the CWC has recorded is vital,” senior police inspector Yogesh More from Khandeshwar police station said.
The case against the teachers and the supervisor was registered under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
