Kanpur student cites ‘own death’ as reason on leave application, principal approves

The incident was not immediately known as the student initially kept the instance to himself.

Coming up with reasons (read excuses) for taking leave requires a certain amount of ingenuity even for those not averse to spinning a yarn or two. However, what happened in a Kanpur school earlier this month defies belief.

This bizarre situation unfolded in a reputed school on GT Road in Kanpur. (HT File Photo)

Displaying mischievousness, a class 8 student sought half-day leave on account of his “own death,” and the principal, perhaps unthinkingly, granted him permission in writing.

In his application addressed to the principal, the student wrote that he (the student) passed away at 10am that day and needed to go home early. He urged the principal to allow him take half-day leave.

The incident was not immediately known as the student initially kept the instance to himself. Later, however, he shared it with some friends. Slowly, the school campus was abuzz with way in which the student was granted leave.

This bizarre situation unfolded in a reputed school on GT Road in Kanpur on August 20. While the school authorities were not forthcoming, some teachers defended the principal and said he was in the habit of signing applications without going through the contents.