A teacher in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district was suspended after assaulting 31 students for not touching her feet, sparking outrage and an official inquiry
OdishaPlus Bureau
An assistant teacher at an upper primary school in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha has been suspended for reportedly beating 31 students for failing to touch her feet after morning prayers.
The incident occurred at Khandadeula government upper primary school, located within the Pratimadeipur cluster in the Betnoti block on Friday.
As per reports, the assistant teacher, Sukanti Kar, arrived late to school and, while conducting classes for students in grades VI, VII, and VIII, questioned them about their failure to perform the customary gesture of respect following the prayer session. Subsequently, she brutally struck those students with a bamboo cane.
The students suffered injuries as a result of the harsh punishment. One boy sustained a fracture in his hand, while a girl lost consciousness and required transportation to a nearby hospital.
The incident incited outrage among parents, who called for stringent action against Kar. Consequently, an inquiry was carried out by headmaster Purnachandra Ojha, Block Education Officer (BEO) Biplab Kar, CRCC Debashish Sahu, and members of the school management committee.
“The teacher expressed dissatisfaction with the students of classes VI, VII, and VIII, claiming that they mocked her,” the BEO informed the media after speaking with both the assistant teacher and the injured students.
On Saturday evening, disciplinary measures were enacted, resulting in the teacher’s suspension. “The situation was addressed with the highest level of seriousness due to the sensitive nature of the incident. The teacher has been suspended while further proceedings are underway,” the BEO stated.
It is important to note that corporal punishment has been prohibited in schools within the state since September 2004.