Rohtas Middle School Headmaster suspended after NHRC directive

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Sasaram: The District Education Officer (DEO), Rohtas, has suspended the Headmaster, Middle School, Kachhwa, Rajendra Singh, and also directed the Block Education Officer (BEO), Nasariganj block, in Rohtas district, Sri Kant Mandal, to lodge an FIR against him. This follows direction of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The BEO lodged an FIR against the Headmaster with police on Saturday. The action was taken in connection with injury to at least 13 students due to laxity on part of the Headmaster. The DEO ordered the Headmaster to remain present at the DEO office at Shivsagar during his suspension period.

A snake had entered a classroom of Middle School, Kachhwa, under Nasariganj block, on September 13, 2014. The Headmaster of the school, Rajendra Singh, called a snake charmer to catch the reptile. When the snake charmer was busy in his work, the students of the school were watching him from the roof of the school. Suddenly, the railing of roof collapsed and the students fell on the ground in which at least 13 students were seriously injured.

The guardians of the students complained to the officials of the education department and demanded action against the Headmaster but no action was taken. After this, the guardians moved  the NHRC that took the matter seriously and issued notices to the officials of the education department in June 2015 and April 2016 and asked it to apprise the NHRC with the action taken but to no avail. The NHRC then rebuked the officials of the education department and again directed the department to submit report without delay about action taken on the matter. After the NHRC took non- compliance of its order seriously, Director, Primary Education wrote to the DM, Rohtas, asking him to submit the report about action taken against the Headmaster.