Child rape case: School to shut permanently?

HYDERABAD: After two alleged cases of sexual assault on students, the Tolichowki-based school could soon face permanent closure. At least that’s what officials of the school education department hinted at, on Saturday, following an enquiry conducted by them.


The enquiry was initiated after the first case, involving a four-year-old, came to light. The girl was allegedly exploited by a supervisor on September 14.

The proceedings of the investigating team revealed that the school was not only functioning pre-primary sections without seeking the requisite permissions but also failed to maintain any of the necessary safety measures to protect its students. Lashing out at the management for the lapses, officials demanded the institute submit an explanation immediately justifying why it should be allowed to function.

As it turns out the the preprimary sections of the school were located on the third floor of the building without CCTV cameras, thus violating safety guidelines issued by the state government.

“The management failed to provide secured premises; safeguard measures relating to the entry exit and movement of students; provide education and awareness of the building due to which this heinous incident took place; and maintain proper feedback mechanism for parents for reporting,” read the proceedings of the enquiry issued by Venkata Narasamma, education officer, Hyderabad district Lashing out at the management not taking “responsibility to protect the child” the proceedings termed it as “irresponsible” and “insensitive” in the matter. Rubbishing the management’s claim about approaching the police to inform them about the incident, the official enquiry revealed that no such documentary evidence was furnished to the department.

In view of the lapses, the school education department issued a fresh notice to the school seeking explanation as to “why the school shall not be closed for violation of government rules” within a period of seven days after receipt of the orders for taking further course of action.

“Failing of which will be construed that the management has nothing to submit on this proceedings and further necessary action will be directly initiated without any further correspondence,” read the proceedings.