The GR also highlighted that both the English- and Hindi-medium wings of the school were running classes for Standard 9 and 10 without obtaining government recognition. (File Photo)
Nearly a month after a Class 6 student of a Vasai school died after being allegedly made to do 100 sit-ups as a punishment for being late, the Maharashtra government recently cancelled the school’s registration.
The stringent action was taken after the committee set up by the school education department to probe the student’s death submitted an inquiry report.
The committee’s investigation revealed several violations by the school – starting from subjecting students to corporal punishment despite its prohibition under the Right To Education (RTE) Act, absence of bodies such as Sakhi Savitri Committee (SSC) and Parent Teacher Association (PTA), infrastructural shortcomings to run the school, to having teachers who lack prescribed educational qualifications.
The Government Resolution (GR), which was adopted Saturday, reads, “According to Section 17 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, corporal and mental punishment of students is strictly prohibited. Despite this prohibition, a teacher in the school subjected students to corporal punishment, as a result of which one student lost her life.”
The GR also highlighted that both the English- and Hindi-medium wings of the school were running classes for Standard 9 and 10 without obtaining government recognition.
Meanwhile, in a separate GR, the state government also issued a fresh set of student safety guidelines.
Student Safety Guidelines:
1. Any form of severe physical punishment to students, such as beating with hands, sticks, rulers, belts, etc; pulling ears or hair; forcing students to do sit-ups; pushing; making students stand outside in the sun or rain; making them kneel; keeping them hungry or denying them drinking water; humiliating them through verbal or mental abuse; repeatedly calling them names; belittling them; or discrimination based on caste, religion, language, gender, social or economic status, disability, or academic performance, shall not be permitted.
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2. Students must be communicated with respectfully, and in gentle language.
3. No negligence shall be shown in providing safe infrastructure for children and students with disabilities; ensuring good-quality, nutritious food; providing clean drinking water; arranging timely medical assistance; and taking prompt action on student complaints, among other responsibilities.
4. Bullying, discriminatory practices, and the use of intoxicating substances are strictly prohibited within the school premises, and due care shall be taken to ensure that no such incidents occur.
5. Taking, using, or assisting in the use of students’ photographs or videos without prior permission from parents and the institution or competent authority is strictly prohibited.
Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra.
Expertise
Senior Role: As a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, her designation reflects her seniority, specialized knowledge, and the editorial rigor applied to her reporting.
Core Authority & Specialization: Pallavi Smart is the definitive voice for Education news in the region. Her coverage scope is comprehensive:
Policy and Regulatory Changes: Reports on major shifts in educational policy, including the restructuring of entrance exams (e.g., MHT-CET adopting the JEE Main model), the draft regulatory framework for coaching classes, and revised teacher recruitment processes.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Provides in-depth reporting on prestigious institutes like IIT Bombay and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), covering institutional initiatives, administrative debates (e.g., renaming IIT Bombay), and student welfare programs (e.g., mandatory mental health courses).
Teachers and Eligibility: Covers crucial issues affecting the teaching fraternity, such as the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers and related controversies and application numbers.
Student Welfare & Rights: Focuses on issues concerning students, including the rollout of government scholarships, the financial strain on schools due to midday meal reimbursement delays, and instances of child rights violations (e.g., the Powai studio hostage crisis).
Admissions and Vacancy: Tracks the outcome of centralized admission processes (e.g., MBBS, BPharm) and analyzes vacancy concerns, providing essential data-driven insights for parents and students.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Dedicated Beat: Her consistent focus on the "KG to PG" education beat allows her to develop unparalleled subject matter knowledge, ensuring her reports are accurate, detailed, and contextualized.
Proactive Reporting: Her articles frequently break news on policy and institutional planning, providing the public with timely, essential information about a sector that directly impacts millions of families.
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