Child rights body to ensure fair probe into school incident

The Education Department and the Karnataka State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR), which have taken cognisance of the alleged misconduct by a physical education instructor at Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidyamandir, are awaiting a report on the case from the school management.

Block Education Officer (South Zone I) K Prakash, who visited the school on Saturday, told Deccan Herald that the school was closed as it was the fourth Saturday of the month.

“However, the school authorities later came to my office and submitted a report. It gives a similar version of the incident reported by the media on Saturday. We will inquire into it further. The report will be forwarded to the Commissioner of Public Instruction,” he said.

He added that none of the parents have approached the officials with complaints as yet.Meanwhile, KSCPCR member Fr Edward Thomas said the commission’s responsibility was to ensure that the inquiry proceeds in the right direction.

“We will ensure that the inquiry goes on as per norms. We have written to the concerned, including the BEO, the school and the DDPI. We are awaiting the report from them. We will make sure that the entire thing is taken care of,” he said.

The Education Department officials and the KSCPCR have urged parents to come forward and share their grievance in this connection. 

Deccan Herald had reported on Saturday that Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidyamandir’s physical instructor Arifulla D was sent on long leave following complaints of alleged misconduct with girls in the high school. 

On Friday morning, the school management had held a meeting with the parents where the issue was discussed. A student had complained to the principal on July 21 and the principal issued a warning lett­er to the instructor on July 22. From July 24, he has been sent on leave.