Nagpur school bars two children after parent questions holidays; inquiry finds no U-DISE registration

A Besa resident in Nagpur, Vivek Suryavanshi, asked his children's school why there were so many holidays. The school then stopped both his children from attending. The case concerns Shri Chaitanya Techno School, a private school. Parents allege the school did not even let the children take an examination that day.

Suryavanshi had gone to drop both children at school on September 30. At the reception, he asked the women staff why the children were given holidays so often. He did not get a proper answer. Instead, school staff began filming him on their mobile phones, leading to a brief argument between Suryavanshi and the staff. He then went home and left for work.

In the afternoon, the school phoned him. He was asked why he had spoken rudely to the women staff at reception, told that his behaviour was not acceptable, and asked to take the children away from the school.

Suryavanshi alleges that when he reached the school, the management stopped him from entering. The management also said the children would not be allowed in until further notice. He says he contacted the school management to learn the reason for the action but got no reply. He finally gave a written complaint to the Education Officer (Primary). He also lodged a complaint with the child protection helpline of the Women and Child Development Department.

The family says the school again did not admit the two children the next day. According to the parents, the school's attitude upset the children, and their mental state and health worsened. The parents then filed formal complaints with the School Education Department, the child helpline and the Women and Child Welfare Department. Both departments have begun an inquiry. The incident has caused considerable stir in the area.

The Suryavanshi family has put several questions to the school. They ask why the children were punished for the parents speaking up and asking questions. The children study in Class 1 and Class 7. The family asks why the school stopped them from sitting in class and kept them seated near reception for two hours. They say the school's arrogant behaviour has badly affected the children's minds. They also ask why, with examinations under way, the children were kept away from them by not being allowed into the school.

A joint team of the School Education Department and the Women and Child Welfare Department visited the school and conducted a thorough inquiry. Several serious matters emerged about the school's academic approvals. The inquiry committee's preliminary examination found that the school has been running for many years but does not have the U-DISE registration required for its academic work. The committee also found that rules protecting children's right to education and their mental and physical health were openly violated in this incident.

The child protection officer and the education officer on the inquiry committee said they would submit their report to the School Education Department and the Women and Child Welfare Department. They want senior officials to take the appropriate decision and act on it. The school management has not responded on the matter.