A private school in Agrahara Dasarahalli is in the dock after its secretary was arrested and released on bail in an alleged case of corporal punishment involving a Class IV student.
According to the parent, the incident took place on Children’s Day at St. Thomas Convent and High School, when the child accidentally spilt ink on a classmate. “The class teacher took the child to the secretary who slapped him on his left cheek which caused a swelling and discolouration,” the parent alleged. The school also refused to allow the child and his sibling, a Class II student, to continue in the same school. “We went to the school and were verbally and physically abused by the management,” the parent said, also alleging that the school had subjected other students to similar treatment in the past.
The parents lodged a complaint against the school management in Magadi Road police station and with the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSPCR). The police arrested Srinivas T.V., the secretary, about a fortnight ago. He is out on bail. Kripa Alva, KSPCR chairperson, passed an interim order stating that the children should be allowed back in the school. This was reiterated during a hearing on Wednesday. But The parents accused the school of discriminating against the child by making the child sit in the last bench and said they will seek the commission’s help again. Despite repeated attempts, The school was not available for comment.
