By Express News Service
HYDERABAD: Just a day after a teacher of Oxford Grammar School in Himayathnagar was suspended for thrashing a nine-year-old girl for not braiding her hair, another incident of a teacher making a Class 6 student of St Francis Girls High School, Secunderabad run 60 rounds of the school playground has come to the fore.
The incident took place last week on July 19 and the student’s parents took the matter to the school principal. The issue, however, came to light only on Monday. In his letter to the principal, the student’s father BP Anil Kumar said that his daughter, who complained of chest pain and breathlessness once she returned home, had to be taken to the doctor.
“During the PT class, the PE teacher Rama Kanth instructed my daughter to run around the ground 60 times as a punishment. She requested the teacher to let her off as her chest was aching and she was feeling breathless. The teacher did not relent even when she cried,” said Kumar. Though Kumar had given a written complaint on Friday, no action was reportedly taken.
On Monday, a few parents and teachers met the school administration to discuss the matter.
“The principal has told me that an enquiry would be conducted and appropriate action would be taken if the teacher was found guilty. She has sought a week’s time for this,” said one of the parents.
Despite several calls, there was no response from the school administration.
Condemning the incident, Balala Hakkula Sangham (BHS) has brought the matter to the notice of the District Commissioner of Police, North Zone and the District Educational Officer, Hyderabad, seeking action against the physical instructor and the school management under the Juvenile Justice Act.
School denies allegation; seeks parents’ support
HYDERABAD: Meanwhile, St Francis girls high school has issued a letter seeking ‘request for support’ from parents. The school management felt the parents are exaggerating the issue and also levelling false allegations on the teacher.
The circular states that the CCTV footages show that the student was not following instructions to do the warm-up exercises.
“The footage also shows the girl hardly running and within 20 minutes of the class it rained heavily and the children were made to sit, so the headmistress feels it is a false allegation as the recording is available as a proof,” reads the circular.
The school has also shifted the blame on parents by saying that no prior information about any health issues regarding the student was given.
It has also said that the student was irregular to school. The school has sought an acknowledgement from parents that say they find the “management, headmistress and staff are efficient and supportive”.
