A Class V student of a state-aided primary school in South Dinajpur was allegedly forced by a teacher to clean the washrooms of the institution last Saturday.
Her family members have filed a complaint with the district primary school council (DPSC), prompting the district primary education department to initiate a probe.
Sources said that on Saturday, the 11-year-old student of Kurmile Primary School in Balurghat block of the district was “arbitrarily ordered” by a woman teacher to clean the washrooms.
“My daughter was reluctant.... Even so, the teacher forced her to do the job. My daughter was feeling nauseous when she returned home. We want appropriate steps against the teacher,” said the girl’s father, adding that the teacher did not give her the task as “punishment”, but simply as an “order”.
On Monday, the girl’s family and some other guardians reached the DPSC office on Monday to hold a demonstration. Later, the girl’s father filed a formal complaint with the authorities.
The protesting guardians also alleged that classes were not regularly held at the school and the midday meal served to children was below par.
Based on the complaint, the DPSC and district primary education department started an inquiry, said DPSC chairman Santosh Handa.
On Tuesday, Hansda reached the school with Narayan Chandra Pal, the district inspector of schools(primary), and other officials. They spoke with the headmaster, teachers and parents of other students of the school.
“We are looking into the allegations. Let us be clear that no student can be engaged to clean washrooms in the school,” said Niren Debnath, an assistant inspector of schools (primary).
The teacher, against whom the allegation has been levelled, could not be contacted. Headmaster PrankrishnaBasak said he initially knew nothing about the incident.
“I didn’t know about this. When I did, I spoke to the teacher and told her that if she forced the girl to clean the washrooms, she did wrong. We are also gathering information and will submit a report to the DPSC,” said Basak.
Duo held with 21kg silver
Siliguri: Two persons, including one from Agra, were arrested by Pradhannagarpolice here on Monday for carrying 21kg of silver withoutvalid papers.
Sources said Keshav Sharma of Bhaktinagar and Shivam Soni of Agra were nabbed near Siliguri Junctionwith silver worth Rs 14 lakh.“Asked to furnish documents to validate they were legally carrying the silver, the duo failed. They were arrested and the silver was seized,” said a police officer.
Fire in flat
A fire broke out in a flat on the third floor of an apartment atPunjabipara, Siliguri ward 13, on Tuesday afternoon. Two fire tenders doused the flames in an hour. Residents suspect the fire broke out during a ritual in the flat. Mayor Gautam Deb visited the area.
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