Education (S) Dept seeks explanation on caning of girl students
EK HSS Secy explains circumstances
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 09 2023:
The Education (S) Department has sought an explanation from the Enlighten Knowledge Higher Secondary School, Sangakpham over the alleged caning of a group of students, the clip of which went viral on social media, on February 6 last.
Secretary of the school, on the other hand, Pangeijam Saratchandra claimed that the students were penalised with good intention to discipline them.
Based on the clip, the Education (S) issued a memorandum to submit the details of the teacher(s)/officials and particulars of the students involved in the incident.
The memorandum was also circulated widely on social media.
In the memorandum, Director of Education (s) L Nandakumar Singh said that the incident is being criticised by various stakeholders of the education sector and the department takes the matter very seriously.
It also said that the department is considering taking action against the school administration as well as teacher(s)/official(s) involved under relevant Acts and Rules.
Asking the Principal of the school to explain why actions deemed fit and proper such as de-recognising the school and withdrawing its affiliation to BoSEM and CoHSEM should not be initiated against them, the memorandum directed the Principal to submit the written explanation to them on or before February 16 .
A press briefing regarding the incident was held at the premises of the school at Sangakpham, today.
Secretary of the school P Saratchandra claimed that they have prepared a response for the explanation call issued by the Government.
Saying that over 500 students are attending residential coaching at the school campus currently to prepare for the Higher Secondary Examination 2023 of CoHSEM while the teachers are staying overnight, he added that the result of the recent mock examination was announced on February 5 last in the presence of students, teachers and guardians at the school campus.
During the function, students who scored good marks and those maintaining cleanliness were felicitated, he continued and added that they also received a report of some girl students not keeping their room neat.
Saying that the girl students were beaten on their hands only once for not giving importance to hygiene and cleanliness as a disciplinary action, Saratchandra maintained that they were penalised with good intention.
"Unfortunately one of our staff recorded the incident on his mobile phone," he said and added that the staff was summoned by the school administration but the person didn't respond.
"This incident is totally an internal matter of the school," he added.
Saying that the students who were penalised might also not have any ill-feelings toward the school, Saratchandra went on to state that the students might not be aware of the developing scenario as they are not allowed to keep mobile phones.
"There is no issue in the school whatsoever and we don't take the matter seriously," he claimed.
Instances of beating students severely have taken place in other schools too but there wasn't any question of derecognising those schools or cancelling their affiliation, he further claimed.
Saying that he will accept whatever actions the State initiate against him, if found guilty, he said that not a single teacher or official was responsible for the incident.
He claimed that the action of the State might be associated with his political involvement.
It is questionable as to how the memorandum was circulated widely on social media before reaching the media houses, he said.