Bangalore school rape: HRD ministry seeks report from CISCE

Anxious parents waiting outside the school getting information from a parent who had a meeting with the management about the reopening and other issues after the child was abused sexually in Bangalore on July 24, 2014. Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has asked the Council of Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) to furnish a detailed report on the rape of a primary school student within the premises of a High School in Bangalore last month.

The Ministry, in its letter to CISCE, also flagged the fact that the Karnataka Government has recommended that the affiliation granted to the High School be withdrawn. In the letter, the Ministry said the safety and security of children in any school system is a critical priority and noted with concern that there were reports of similar incidents from other schools affiliated to CISCE.

The Ministry also underlined the fact that it had circulated detailed Guidelines under Section 35(1) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) on March 26, 2014, and these clearly specify the role of a school in ensuring the safety and security of children within school premises.

As per reports from Bangalore, a six-year-old girl had been raped within the school premises apparently by two staff members. Two gym instructors have been arrested in the case.