3 teachers lose their jobs for beating pupils

Following complaints from some students that they were beaten and abused, three teachers of a government school on Saturday were terminated from their services.

The move came after deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia inspected special classes being held at Shahid Hamukalani Sarvodya Bal Vidyalaya in Lajpat Nagar, where children of Classes 9 and 12 had complained to him about the incident earlier this week.

A senior government official said when Mr Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, interacted with the students, they gave him indications of the “unacceptable behaviour” of the three accused teachers and a continuous neglect of studies.

“Continuing the interaction, the deputy CM then asked the teachers and the principal to leave the classroom so that students could express their views without any fear. In the following one-hour, the students narrated their experiences and named two teachers who repeatedly indulged in physical violence against them and used abusive language,” the official said.

According to the government, the Class 12 students stated they were unable to understand whatever was being taught to them in Physics, since no practical classes were being held.

“Services of a TGT Science teacher, a TGT social science teacher and a PGT Physics lecturer have been terminated and a TGT Hindi teacher, a lecturer of accounts and vice-principal of the school have been placed under suspension,” official further said. Mr Sisodia directed the principal and teachers to treat the students with affection and sensitivity. He said attempts to browbeat children would be completely counter-productive and they would stop respecting the elders.

The minister said that it is the duty of students to respect their teachers but that would only be possible if students were treated with affection.