The Commission for Protection of Child Rights was hearing a complaint filed by a parent, who said that students had to wait on the pavement, with no supervision, for being late.
Parents of children studying at Baldwin School in Bangalore, who had been at loggerheads with the new school management, can heave a sigh of relief. From now, the school cannot fine or stop students from entering the premises if they are late. They can only be prevented from attending the first class, said the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Friday.
The Commission also asked the police to initiate criminal proceedings against the management and staff, including the principal of the school, which has lately been mired in controversies.
The Commission directed jurisdictional Ashok Nagar Police to register a case against physical education instructor Manoj under IPC 339 (wrongful restraint), 349 (using force) and 351 (assault) and IPC 339 and 349 against the principal.
The Commission also came down heavily on the management and administration school for compromising on the safety of children and sought proceedings under Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 along with section 17 of the Right To Education Act, 2009, for causing physical and mental suffering.
On Friday, Acting Chairperson of the Commission, Y Mariswamy, was hearing a complaint filed by Sandeep BC, father of a class 1 student of the school.
Sandeep and his wife were assaulted on July 26 for being vocal against the management’s practice of “punishing” children for arriving late in school. The punishment meant that students as young as 6-year-olds had to wait on the pavement, with no supervision, for being late.
Sandeep had approached the Commission after failing to get a response from the State Primary Education Minister for a period of 20 days.
For threatening the complainants with ‘false cases’, four constables were also directed to be placed under suspension and that disciplinary action is taken against them.
The Ashok Nagar PS Inspector was also asked to take criminal action against school manager Sheila John Wesley.
In addition, two education officers, who skipped the hearing, were issued notices and were asked to explain their absence from the hearing on Friday.
Murlidhar, parent of another student told TNM, “We are happy with the Commission’s decision. We want that pressure on the school management so that they do not indulge in wrongful activities again.”