Shillong, Jun 17: Social activist and president of the Constitutional Rights Forum Greneth M. Sangma has objected to the decision of a school barring a student from appearing in his examination under controversial circumstances.
According to Sangma, a class IX student of Ascension Secondary School in Dumnikura, South Garo Hills district was prevented from appearing in his scheduled examination on June 16, on the pretext that he is “under a case.”
In a letter to the principal of the school, Sangma accused the school of a “gross constitutional violation” and asserted that barring the student from his examination was a “blatant act of institutional malice and secondary victimization.” Allegations included an attempt by the school to penalise the child, intending to silence his family concerning a separate incident involving a teacher.
According to Sangma, after an internal check where a cigarette lighter was recovered from the student, he denied ownership and named other peers. He stated that instead of lawful disciplinary action, the school allegedly permitted an environment where those named assaulted the student.
The complainant alleged that a teacher of the school punched the student on the chest and backside, driven by personal animosity.
The parents have registered a First Information Report against the teacher, as corporal punishment is prohibited by law.
Sangma said the school management locked the student out of his examination. This not only contravenes the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, but also invokes protection under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, he said.
The activist has demanded immediate actions by reinstating the student for the remaining examinations and suspending the accused teacher pending an ongoing investigation.
