Bhubaneshwar: A Class 11th girl student of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Mancheswar area of Bhubaneswar allegedly attempted suicide by jumping off the school building on Friday.
The matter came to light on Saturday after family members of the girl lodged a police complaint alleging that she attempted to commit suicide after being harassed by a lady physical education (PE) teacher of the school.
The injured girl is now undergoing treatment at a private hospital and her condition is stated to be critical. Alleging harassment of students, members of Parents’ Association on Saturday staged a dharna outside KV Sangathan’s deputy commissioner office demanding action against the PE teacher.
They alleged that the PE teacher misbehaved with the girl and verbally abused her which drove her to attempt suicide.
“She attempted suicide from the rooftop after being provoked by the teacher. The lady teacher has been frequently misbehaving with other students. She had also forcibly cut hair of students and forced them to kneel down,” said the president of Parents’ Association.
“I had earlier reported the matter to the school authorities. However, no action was taken in this regard. We demand immediate suspension of the accused teacher,” he added.
However, school principal Preeti Roy refuted the allegations and claimed that the girl student fell off a staircase accidentally.
“The PET teacher verbally abused the girl student and a class teacher also insulted her in front of the entire class. Unable to bear the trauma, she attempted suicide. These teachers have forced her to attempt suicide,” said a woman protestor.
“As long as the principal, class teacher and the PET teacher are working at the school, there is threat to the lives of our children,” she added.
Another protestor echoed the similar views and said, “After such incident, we do not feel that our children are safe in the school.”
However, school principal Preeti Roy refuted the allegations and claimed that the girl student fell off a staircase accidentally.
“The girl student did not attempt suicide from school building and nobody has harassed her. She was playing indoor games as she has sun allergy. Suddenly, she went to the field without taking permission from any teacher and subsequently went to the residential area,” the school principal said.
“She stumbled and fell off the staircase inside the residential area. There is no question of suicide. After some students reported the matter, the PE teacher and other teachers rushed to the spot. Later, a man shifted the girl to hospital in his car,” said Ms Roy, adding that the student has suffered some fractures and her condition is now stable.
