2 Class VIII girls hurt after teacher beat them in school

Mehak Jain
Ludhiana: Deputy commissioner Sakshi Sawhney marked an inquiry into a complaint that claimed a computer teacher at Government High School, Jamalpur Awana, had beat up two girl students of Class VIII brutally, leaving them injured. The students were rushed to a private hospital. Their parents alleged that the girls were beaten up by the computer teacher and that had led to injuries.
The parents said that they received a call from the school on Wednesday afternoon, informing them that their daughters were injured. They said that they rushed their daughters to hospital, where they received preliminary treatment and were later discharged.
Parents of the students and other area residents staged a protest outside the school on Thursday morning, demanding action against the teacher responsible. One of the students suffered bruises on the hands and head. The other said, “It was our computer period and the teacher had gone out for some work. When she returned, she started beating one of us first and then hitting me with ‘kada’ (bangle).”
Parent of one of the girls said, “We received a call from the school and found our daughter injured. When she saw us, she started crying loudly. We rushed her to hospital, where she was breathless for almost an hour.”
Father of the other student said, “When I reached home, my daughter was crying in pain. She is scared of the school and teachers now. She has been traumatised.”
The complaint, a copy of which is with TOI, stated that similar accusations had been made against the computer teacher on previous occasions as well. The complainants demanded transfer of the teacher, besides departmental action.
On Thursday, principal of School of Eminence, Sector 32, Jaswinder Singh and principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Mundian Kalan were appointed inquiry officers in the case, said deputy district education officer (secondary) Jaswinder Singh Virk.
He added, “We will get the inquiry report on Friday and would be able to comment only after that.” Talking about corporal punishment, he said, “This is not appropriate behaviour. We have to teach and control students but not by punishing them physically. This is an appeal to every teacher in schools to teach and deal with students with love or else they will get traumatised. Students are sensitive and we cannot beat them.” One of the inquiry officers said, “I have talked to parents and children, the accused teacher and the school head and got statements in writing.”
In a video clip, which is with TOI, the computer teacher said, “Students were making a noise in class, which is why I punished them.” School head, Florence, did not answer repeated calls.