Akshay Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: The Holy Cross Convent School RS Pura has reportedly targeted a student of 9th standard, directing his parents to take him away, on the pretext that the student asked too many questions, thus disturbing the class. But the student on the contrary alleged that he was being targeted for refusing to purchase books and note books from school, on his promotion to 9th standard.
The student has reportedly lodged a complaint before Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) RS Pura against his harassment, but the school administration is reportedly adamant to throw him out.
According to complaint lodged by Shikhar Sharma, son of late Raj Kumar and Neelam Sharma resident of Badyal Brahmana, before SDPO RS Pura, the student has alleged that last year when he had entered class 9th, the school administration had issued a circular asking all the students to purchase books and notebooks from school.
"My mother is only bread earner of family after my father's death, and had been doing odd jobs to fund my studies; so, I had refused to purchase books from school and appealed before administration to allow him to use old books of his elder sister, which infuriated the administration", the student has reportedly alleged in the complaint, adding that the teachers started harassing him by not checking his home work.
The complaint of student further maintained that he later appealed before Child Helpline and upon their intervention Principal of School issued a circular, maintaining that old books could also be used but till then all the students had already purchased books, and other stationery, except him.
The complainant further stated that round the year, administration used to harass him on one pretext or other. "Now when I have qualified 9th standard with A-grade, the school administration seeks to throw me out, so that I will not raise any objection against purchase of books", the complainant averred.
"On 21st March, when mother of complainant went to school for taking results, she was asked by the authorities to withdraw her ward" said Om Parkash Khajuria, the maternal uncle of the complainant .
"The principal said that Shikhar disturbed class by asking too much questions. So you withdraw him and admit in some other school. After her persistent appeals, the Principal finally gave result only after taking her signature on a warning letter", Khajuria said.
He further informed that on March 27, he along with his nephew went to School but the Principal refused to speak. "Principal asked to take legal action and in front of me, he said, once again Shikhar has created indiscipline by bringing strangers (Me)", Khajuria said.
SDPO, RS Pura Devinder Singh acknowledged the complaint of student and also confirmed about allegations of selling books by school administration. He further said that though a formal FIR could not be lodged but Investigating Officer (IO) has been deputed for investigation and he has done questioning from school administration.
He further said that they would ensure that student continued his studies and was not harassed in future.
Sources informed Early Times that in reply to Investigating Officer (IO), Principal of School has admitted that Shikhar was brilliant but added that his attitude was a problem as he asked too much questions in the class. |
