Probe ordered into slapping of student

The Directorate of Education has initiated an enquiry into the alleged corporal punishment meted out to a Class XII student of Government Girls' Senior Secondary School in Khichripur, reports Ritika Chopra.

The Directorate of Education has initiated an enquiry into the alleged corporal punishment meted out to a Class XII student of Government Girls' Senior Secondary School in Khichripur.

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Deputy director of Education R.N. Sharma visited the school on Wednesday morning and personally spoke to the children who were present on the day the student was assaulted.

"We have taken the children's version in writing and we will have to prepare a report on the basis of this. About 20 children have provided a written account of the incident," said K. Khan, education officer of Zone II, which covers Government Girls' Senior Secondary School, Khichripur.

Sixteen-year-old Anjali Kumari was reportedly assaulted by her principal Manorama Rani Singh on October 14 for questioning the lack of basic infrastructure facilities in her school in a written complaint addressed to the regional director of education.

Thirty out of the total 34 students in Kumari's class had also signed the complaint. The incident was reported first by Hindustan Times on Wednesday.

Director (Education) Chandra Bhushan Kumar informed that the directorate of education is expecting the report on Thursday. He refused to comment on the nature of action that could be taken against Singh if found guilty of slapping Kumari. "We can't say anything right now. All depends on the finding of the report," he said.

Principal Manorama Singh, however, denied all allegations. "The entire issue is being blown out of proportion. When I learnt about the complaint, I tried to explain to Kumari and her classmates that they should have patience and that I was trying my best to improve the infrastructure around here. I didn't slap Kumari. Why would I? They all are like my children," she said.