Karnataka RTE kids case: NCPCR demands report

Mangalore Today News Network/CNN-IBN

Bangalore, July 19, 2012: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Thursday asked the Karnataka government to submit a report following allegations that four students from economically weaker section (EWS) were humiliated in a prominent Bangalore school.

Taking suo motu cognisance of a media report, the NCPCR directed Karnataka Education Secretary (Primary and Secondary Education) to get the matter investigated and take further necessary action. The Commission has also sought an Action Taken Report (ATR).

Parents of the students of Class I admitted under 25 per cent quota under Right to Education Act in the Bangalore school have alleged that the children were humiliated and discriminated against.

The mother of one of the children has alleged that the school did not take any action after she brought to its notice the incident of her daughter’s classmate cutting tufts of her hair.

Several Dalit groups protested outside the school on Thursday. The school remained shut.

The school authorities said they would open the school on Friday and would abide by the government’s report on the incident. The incident is to be submitted by today evening.

The Commission had on Wednesday asked the Secretary to provide to it details of alleged victimisation accorded to the students and to initiate necessary action against the concerned school authority and other functionaries, if found guilty.

It also instructed the Secretary to ensure that the children got immediate counselling at state cost.