School to conduct probe in corporal punishment incident

We will come out with the findings shortly, says headmistress

  The management of St Mary’s Public School, Queens Road, has initiated an inquiry into the incident involving one of its pupils, Mohammed Uzaif, who was allegedly assaulted by Nirmala, a maths teacher at the school.

“Nirmala is a hardworking and dedicated teacher and we have never received any complaint against her any time before. She had pulled Uzaif’s sweater and, may be because of that he fell. First aid was, however, administered. We are conducting an inquiry of our own and will come out with the findings shortly,” said headmistress of the school, Nina Abraham.

Nina said that she had got a call about the incident while at home, long after the school hours. The school authorities wanted to talk to the parents to sort out the matter. However, they spoke about going to the police and the media. She said Uzaif was a poor student who did not do well in his studies and came to school without completing his homework quite often.

“The child does not study and, even in the previous year he was promoted with a warning,” she claimed. 

Nirmala had apparently given some homework that Uzaif did not complete. He claimed that he could not do his homework because there were no pages left in his old work book.

“The teacher did not listen to me and she pulled me and beat me up. I sustained injuries on my lip when she pushed me hard,” said Uzaif.

He also claimed that he was not given any immediate medical attention. It was only when his parents found the swelling on his lip that he was given medical attention.
“I have no hard feelings against the school and want to continue my education there,” said Uzaif.

The student was at Bowring Hospital for his injuries. The doctors suggested a root canal treatment for the tooth.

Police authorities also visited the school and spoke to the management and students.
“We are inquiring the matter and will come out with a report soon. At this juncture, we will not be able to disclose anything”, said K M Ramesh, Inspector, Ulsoor Gate police
station.  

Whitefield school

Daisy Nursery in Ambedkar Nagar, Whitefield, where six kids had allegedly suffered burn marks, was closed on Wednesday. An official claimed said that the school was functioning without necessary permission.   

The South Indian Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM), a body that has been active in the field of child rights and Right to Education, has written to the State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights to  award severe punishment to teachers giving corporal punishment.