Schoolboy’s face ‘painted’ black

In yet another instance of corporal punishment meted out to a Delhi school student, an eight-year-old boy’s face was painted black on Saturday for scoring low marks in his class test.

In yet another instance of corporal punishment meted out to a Delhi school student, an eight-year-old boy’s face was painted black on Saturday for scoring low marks in his class test.

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Eric Messih, a Class II student of SLB Convent School — an unauthorised private school in Holambi Kalan in outer Delhi— came home with a blackened face. “I scored 2 out of 5 in my English class test. My teacher then scolded me and painted my face with black watercolour,” Eric alleged. “She then slapped me, asked me to remove my clothes and stand outside the class,” he added.

He also said the same treatment was meted out to a handful of students from other classes. “At least eight other students who were not from my class had their faces painted black,” Eric said.

Eric’s grandfather Michael Messih immediately took his grandson to the local police post to lodge a complaint.

“When he came home in the afternoon he was scared and crying. I wanted to lodge a complaint but the police asked me to discuss the matter with the principal,” Michael said.

“We later went to the school but it was already closed. When we talked to the school administrator he threatened us with dire consequences,” Michael alleged.

Principal Poonam Bharadwaj was not available for comment despite repeated attempts to contact her.

However, Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s Standing Committee chairman Vijender Gupta said the incident should not be taken lightly.

“It is a very serious matter. No teacher has the right to treat any student like this. We will look into the matter and conduct an enquiry. If the teacher is found guilty strict action would be taken against the person,” Gupta said.

Michael said he would file a complaint on Monday. “The child is scared to go back to the school. We will get him admitted to another school but make sure that action is taken against the teacher concerned,” Michael added.