From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH: In a glaring violation of the Rights to Education Act, 2009, five students were meted to physical punishment by a local school for petty reasons where one of them was admitted to the Byrnihat Primary Health Centre.
It may be mentioned here that according to Section 17 of the Rights to Education Act, 2009, “Imposition of physical punishment and mental harassment is strictly prohibited.” So the million dollar question arises, will the Education Minister of the state take stern action against the violators whose action could leave mental scars in the minds of the young students.
This incident occurred in Rongsakona Secondary School, Rongsakona about 35 kilometers from here, where the alleged violators were no other than the headmaster of the school Nikel R Marak and assistant headmaster of the school Useful Kharbani.
Sangnang J Sangma (9) of Class III was lashed on his back side on Monday last and suffered severe injuries on left buttock, left thigh and left upper arms and was to the Byrnihat PHC.
The other four students who were subjected to physical punishment by Marak and Kharbani two weeks back were identified as Salbira D Sangma (9) a class II student, , Sarita R Marak (8) a class III student, Barihun Thangkhiew (10) and Sonam R Marak (15) a class V student.
Fed up with the frequent physical punishment by the two school heads, the parents raised a protest in front of the school campus and reported the matter to the FKJGP Byrnihat Circle so as to take stern action against the school. FKJGP Byrnihat Circle president Lumlang Mawnai and general secretary Ricky Chyne along with the members rushed to the school to examine the situation.
Later a meeting was held in the school between the two school heads and the FKJGP leaders and was attended by the Rongsokona Village Secretary Asangsing Marak.
During the course of the meeting, Kharbani admitted of allegation against and sought forgiveness from the FKJGP and the parents. However the parents stick to their demand for their removal.
Mawnai has asked the parents to give them a written complaint and they will take it up with the District School Education Officer, Ri Bhoi District. However, the parents and the village authorities will be meeting on October 13 to discuss on the matter.