A Class 9 student of Shantiniketan Vidyalaya Residential School in Shamirpet was allegedly issued a transfer certificate after the boy’s father filed a complaint against a school staff member for using corporal punishment against his son. The student, who was supposed to join Class 10 from March 4, has been asked not to come to campus anymore, the father has said.
In a complaint, dated February 11, filed at the Shamirpet police station, the boy’s father Satish Kumar K has alleged that his son was beaten up by the school hostel warden at Shantiniketan on February 8 for switching on the lights inside his hostel room after 9.30 pm. Even though the boy told the warden that he was searching for a lost key, the warden allegedly hit him with a stick due to which his left hand sustained a fracture. The father has stated that nobody from the school informed him about the injury and it was only two days later that he learnt that the boy had fractured his hand.
“The father then approached Balala Hakula Sangham, (a Hyderabad-based child’s rights organisation). We took cognisance of the matter and helped him file a complaint at the Shamirpet police station. The police lodged a case against the warden and questioned the school officials about the incident,” Achutya Rao, president of Balala Hakula Sangham, said.
However, on March 6, when Satish reached the school to inquire about the hostel fee and admission, the school authorities directed him to the chairman, who in turn handed him a transfer certificate and asked him to find a different school for his son.
Speaking to TNM, Shamirpet police station SI Naveen Reddy, said that though a case was filed in February against the hostel warden, the investigation is still underway.
“A case has been charged against the hostel warden and we are conducting an investigation to ascertain the truth behind the allegations put forward by the complainant. The warden has been kept off from his service at the hostel and a probe is on,” he added.
Meanwhile, Balala Hakula Sangham has appealed to the government and has demanded that the school reinstate the student.
“Every child has a right to education. Just because a case has been filed against the hostel warden doesn’t mean the school authorities have the right to issue a transfer certificate to the child. The education department should interfere and ensure that the boy doesn’t discontinue his studies,” Achutya Rao added.
TNM tried to reach out to the authorities of the Shantiniketan School but the attempts were unsuccessful.