NEW DELHI: The rising number of suicide cases among school children in India has brought intense scrutiny on educational institutions. In Jaipur, Neerja Modi School in Shipra Path, Mansarovar, is now under investigation by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) after a nine-year-old student reportedly ended her life due to repeated bullying and harassment. The incident has highlighted serious lapses in child safety and school compliance with statutory provisions.
The school, holding affiliation number 1730210, has provisional affiliation up to the senior secondary level, valid until March 31, 2029. Following the tragic incident, CBSE issued a show cause notice demanding the school explain why penalties under the Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018, should not be applied.
CBSE inspection reveals severe safety violationsAn inspection committee was immediately constituted to examine the school’s safety measures. The committee’s report revealed alarming deficiencies, including the absence of protective nets on higher floors, unmonitored CCTV systems, and unprotected staircases that violate the National Building Code (NBC) 2005 and NDMA School Safety Policy.
Students were reportedly not wearing ID cards, delaying the identification of the child. Moreover, the area of the fall was cleaned before forensic investigation could be carried out. The school also lacked a safety and security committee, a basic requirement outlined in CBSE circulars.
Persistent bullying complaints ignoredAmaira Kumar Meena, the nine-year-old student, faced repeated bullying over 1.5 years. Her parents submitted complaints multiple times to teachers and school coordinators, but no corrective action was taken. CCTV footage confirmed that on the day of the incident, Amaira repeatedly approached her class teacher for help, but no intervention occurred.
CBSE’s Affiliation Bye-Laws mandate the creation of anti-bullying committees, a grievance redressal system, and access to counselling. The inspection committee found the school in clear violation of all these requirements, demonstrating systemic negligence.
Non-compliance with POCSO and child protection normsThe school failed to comply with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. A full-time counsellor or wellness teacher was not appointed, as required for secondary and senior secondary schools. Staff and housekeeping personnel also failed to wear ID cards or name tags, breaching NCPCR and POCSO guidelines.
CCTV monitoring was inadequate despite coverage across multiple floors. The child was able to move to the fourth floor without detection. The inspection report highlights widespread neglect in maintaining a safe and secure environment for students.
CBSE issues strict deadline for school responseCBSE has formally directed the school’s management to submit a detailed response with supporting documents within 30 days. Failure to comply could result in penalties or even cancellation of affiliation under Chapter 12 of the Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018.
Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!Sanjay Sharma is a seasoned journalist with over two decades of e...
Read MoreSanjay Sharma is a seasoned journalist with over two decades of experience in the media industry. Currently serving as Assistant Editor - Education at TimesofIndia.com, he specializes in education-related content, including board results, job notifications, and studying abroad. Since joining TOI in 2006, he has played a pivotal role in expanding the platform’s digital presence and spearheading major education events. Previously, Sanjay held leadership positions in sports journalism, covering high-profile events such as the Cricket World Cup and Olympics. He holds a PG Diploma in Journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan and is proficient in various content management systems.
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