Jaipur: School education department in a notice to Neerja Modi School in the city where 9-year-old girl jumped from the fourth-floor parapet on Nov 1, has given seven days’ time before taking action as per rules to withdraw the school’s recognition. A notice issued by director secondary education Sitaram Jat on Dec 17, mentions that the school must submit an explanation to the director within seven days, “…before taking action as per rules regarding the withdrawal of the institution’s recognition/upgradation/CBSE NOC, using the powers conferred under Rule 7(1) of the Rajasthan Non-Government Educational Institutions Act, 1989 and Rules, 1993,”The state education department’s investigation report, which was released on Tuesday states, “…Negligence in the safety of children, the absence of security personnel or attendants, and the cleaning of the accident site with water indicates shortcomings on the part of the school administration and reflects serious negligence on their part.”The report mentions that the school building’s D Block has five floors. “Considering the safety of young children up to Class 8, the absence of iron mesh or railings above the stair railings was observed, and there was also no netting in the open courtyard on the ground floor.”The report adds that the accident site was washed and cleaned with water after the student fell from the fourth floor, “which indicates a lapse on the part of the school administration,” as alleged by parents of the child earlier.The report also noted absence of security personnel or assistants on each floor to ensure safety of children, “who would prevent young children from going to floors where their classes were not held, and intervening if they (children) did.”The report says that the action taken by the school in the case falls in the category of violation of Rajasthan Non-Government Educational Institutions Act, 1989, and Rules, 1993. The notice states that if the school fails to submit a response, “the department will assume that the institution has nothing to say regarding the said notice, and the department will take action as per rules”.Vijay Meena, the child’s father said, “Over 50 days have passed since my daughter’s death but no information has been shared with us whether by the police or the state govt. Silence in an issue related to the safety and security of students is a matter of concern. The school has quietly removed the class teacher and maths teacher from the school and this action itself raises question. If the school was not at fault then why was this action taken and if the school is wrong, then who is responsible for it?”TOI could not independently verify whether the two teachers were suspended by the school, terminated or they have left the job on their own accord. Indu Dubey, principal of Neerja Modi School, did not respond to calls from TOI seeking a comment on the notice.Sanyukt Abhibhavak Sangh, a representative body of parents in the city, said the notice “appears to be more of a cover-up than an investigation.”“When the CBSE notice to the school acknowledged bullying as a key factor in this incident, it is extremely inhumane for the education department to exclude it from the notice. Ignoring the aspect of bullying is an injustice to the child and a betrayal to the entire parent community in the city,” said Abhishek Jain Bittu, spokesperson of the association.On Nov 20, CBSE in its show cause notice to the school mentioned that Amaira’s fatal jump from the fourth floor occurred in an environment of “unbearable trauma and mental harassment,” exacerbated by the school’s failure to respond to repeated complaints by the student to teachers.
Deadline of govt notice to pvt school on girl’s death ends today | Jaipur News
