Parents up-in-arms against school for assault, abuse on students

Team Herald

MARGAO: The alleged incidents of assault and religious abuse of students at Sharada English School, Sanvordem has been troubling both the students and their parents for quite some time now.

 It is alleged that Muslim students are being called Pakistanis by the school authorities. The headmistress too apparently thrashes students. A student Navil Kopardekar who was beaten up by the school head is now being treated in Hospicio, Margao.

 Complaints of reported assaults have been been coming in for the past one year. Parents alleged that despite several complaints to the school management and the Education Department, no action has been taken.

 After Navil’s mother, Rohini, highlighted the incident and lodged a complaint, other incidents too came to light. Rohini reported that Navil was beaten up and his head was banged against the wall and he was thrown into a garbage vat by a teacher for commiting a “silly” mistake on October 5. Navil is now nursing a badly bruised ear. His forehead was also swollen, Rohini added in her complaint.

 She also said Navil had occasionally complained of abuse and assault in the class. “Following my son’s complaints and the injuries he sustained, I decided to admit my son in another school,” Rohini added.

 In  another incident, the mother of a Class VII student said, “The teachers of the school called my son a Pakistani. If the teachers treat students in this manner, other students can be provoked to do the same. Who will be responsible if my son, in a fit of anger or anxiety, commits something wrong?” asked the helpless mother.

“My children were happily studying in a school in Curchorem. But these people came to our house and urged us to admit my children to their school on the pretext that they will be provided with books, uniform and other items. After the admission, forget uniform, the school hasn’t even given ID cards to my children,” the parent said.

“We are Muslims but we are not Pakistanis we are Indians like the rest of Muslims residing in India. The teachers’ behaviour has troubled all of us in the family,” she said. 

In yet another case, a teacher allegedly abused a Class X girl in front of other students. the teacher apparently used filthy language.

 Despite, making several complaints to the persons concerned, no action has been initiated till date, the aggrieved parents alleged.