DSEK to probe into alleged student mistreatment at Srinagar private school

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-06-11 16:26:56 |

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School management denies allegations of mishandling of student

Muhammad Adnan

Srinagar, June 11: The School Education Department (SED) has initiated an inquiry into allegations of corporal punishment at a private school in Srinagar, following a complaint from a parent whose daughter was reportedly hospitalised after an alleged incident.

Talking to reporters on Wednesday, education minister Sakina Itoo said the matter has been taken seriously and instructions have been passed to the Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) for a thorough investigation.

“The issue was brought to my notice and I have directed the Director School Education to ascertain the facts,” she said.

The issue came to limelight Altaf Ahmad Dar, a parent of a Class 3 student at Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School, alleged that his daughter, Aayat Altaf, was subjected to corporal punishment for not bringing a notebook to school.

The parent claimed the child had to be hospitalised after facing corporal punishment.

However, the school management has denied the allegations, stating that the student was not subjected to any form of punishment.

In an official statement, the school clarified that the student complained of a headache during the 7th period and was immediately taken to the health room.

“Her parents were contacted at around 2:00 PM. The father advised the staff to administer a tablet, citing the child’s history of migraines,” the statement read.

According to the school, the child was given medication under supervision and allowed to rest, with the entire process recorded on CCTV in the health room.

"The father arrived at the school around 2:35 PM but allegedly became agitated and disrupted the situation," the school management claimed in its statement.

School officials said they offered to take the child to a nearby hospital, but the father insisted on taking her to Children’s Hospital, Bemina, approximately 15 kilometers away.

"School representatives accompanied the vehicle in another car to ensure the student’s safety. However, midway, the parent turned toward the press enclave instead of the hospital," it reads.

Following this, the leading staff accompanying the parent and the student, returned to school.

The school maintained that no teacher scolded or physically handled the child.

“The student, as confirmed by her father, has a medical condition, and appropriate care was provided. There was no mistreatment or negligence from our side,” the statement reads.

The school also underscored its adherence to a strict child safeguarding policy and asserted that no violation had taken place.