A teacher of a private school on the outskirts of Mangalore allegedly made 23 students to do over 1,000 sit-ups for not bringing their notebooks on Monday. Students who experienced pain in the legs did not attend school since Tuesday.
The Nishara Public School at Harekala has promised to initiate action against the computer science teacher, Soumya, who punished the Class 7 students. Parents of these students brought the matter to the notice of the principal.
After a tip-off from a student, Childline personnel, led by coordinator Renni D’Souza, went to the school and spoke to the students on Wednesday and reported the matter to the Konaje police. However, a complaint is yet to be filed. Block Education Officer Sudhakar said a notice would be issued to the school seeking an explanation.
A report would be placed before the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer, the competent authority to look into complaints about corporal punishment, for further action.
Meanwhile, B. Abdul Razak, chairman of Hydrose Haji Memorable Charitable Trust that runs the school, said: “The teacher did make students to do 10 sit-ups as they had not done homework for last one month. It is false to say that they were made to do 1,000 sit-ups. Students attended school yesterday and today,” he said.
The school had banned all types of punishment to students, he said and added that the teacher would be suspended.
She joined the school eight months ago.
