Education dept wants Pune school in ‘washroom CCTV’ row to reopen soon

The complaints came to light after video clips emerged of a sloganeering mob chasing and attacking the school principal, who was seen running away with his clothes torn.

The parents and other protesters also complained about the alleged recital of a Christian prayer in the school and not of other faiths. The school administration and the principal did not file a police complaint about the assault till Saturday evening.

Following the incident, block education officer Sudam Walunj told The Indian Express that the education department’s inquiry suggested that a camera was installed inside the washroom block a month ago. He also said the school management had admitted that a  camera was there.

Officials said that Walunj later submitted a report that narrated the sequence of incidents as well as the parents’ complaints. Education officials said their main concern was administrative, regarding the licensing of the unaided school, as well as resumption of academic duties.

“The academic year has started and as per government’s rules, each school has to teach for 230 days. Our aim is to ensure the school reopens and resumes its duties as fast as possible,” said an officer.

The school, which informed parents that it would remain closed from Thursday until further notice, has nearly 900 students in classes from nursery to Class 12, mostly children from the Talegaon and Vadgaon Maval areas.

When contacted, Ayush Prasad, CEO of the Pune Zilla Parishad, said his office was ready to join the investigation if police sought its assistance. “Our officers will extend all cooperation,” he said.

Police are also separately investigating the sequence of events leading up to the attack on the principal and the complaints of the parents.