CBSE: Ryan’s negligence led to boy’s killing

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has blamed the Ryan International School, Gurgaon, for the murder of seven-year-old boy in school premises on September 8 and said the death could have been averted if the authorities had discharged their duties with care and sincerity.  

In its response filed in the Supreme Court in a writ petition relating to safety in schools, the CBSE listed various lapses on the part of the school management, including lack of sufficient CCTVs, with some of them not working. There were no ramps, no closed-circuit television at prominent places on the campus, and classrooms not in use on two floors of the school building were not put under lock and key. The father of Pradhyuman Thakur had filed the PIL.

According to CBSE affidavit, during inspection of the school premises, various lapses were found. A few electric panels were open, which could have posed a serious threat to the lives of children in school, says the affidavit. 

Many serious irregularities and security lapses have been pointed out in the CBSE affidavit, like no attendant to accompany students to washrooms, no separate toilets, bathrooms, and restrooms for children and non-teaching staff..

Following the murder of a seven-year-old boy in Ryan International School in Gurgaon near Delhi, the Supreme Court had issued notices to the Centre and all states on a plea by two women lawyers seeking framing of safety conditions for protection of children in schools.

The court also sought implementation of existing guidelines to protect school-going children from offences like sexual abuse and murder across the country. The PIL also sought cancellation of licenses of erring schools. It impleaded Centre and all States as well as the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) on prevention of child abuse in schools.