A group of parents protested before the Narayana E Techno School in Vidyaranyapura, accusing teachers of corporal punishment that left one of the students severely injured in the ear.
Parents of Raj (name changed), a class 10 student, said the mathematics teacher repeatedly slapped him on the face and this damaged his ear.
Raj was part of an optional summer camp held in the school at the beginning of the vacation. On Wednesday, as the classes were going on, he was slapped repeatedly for talking to a classmate sitting beside him.
"He was hit not just once, but multiple times. As a result, his eardrum is damaged," said Raj's father, who added that the boy may have to undergo a surgery, which would cost Rs 2 lakh.
"I'm a vegetable vendor and can't afford the medical expense. My son didn't do any grave mistake to be punished this way," the father said.
Teacher arrested
Parents who protested before the school had demanded action against the math teacher. A complaint was also lodged with the Vidyaranyapura police, who arrested the teacher on Thursday afternoon.
School dean Srivani said the teacher has been suspended. "He has also been taken into (police) custody," she added.
Summer school slammed
Meanwhile, the Associated Managements of English Medium Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) has written to the principal secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Shalini Rajneesh, demanding action against schools that fail to break for summer and conduct classes, depriving children of their rights.
"Every block education officer should be held responsible for schools being allowed to hold classes beyond the allotted days and hours," KAMS general secretary Shashi Kumar D said.