Students made to clean toilets in Karnataka government school, third incident this month

Also Read: Government school students in Bengaluru forced to clean toilets

The incident 

According to officials, the incident took place on Saturday at a government-run school in Bhadravati taluk of Shivamogga district where students of Class 6 were allegedly asked to clean toilets. However, when the senior officials of the Education Department confronted the headmaster, he told them that the students were only asked to pour water and not clean the toilets.

“On Wednesday, I received a 10-second video on WhatsApp in which students were seen cleaning toilets. I immediately instructed the officials concerned to visit the school and conduct a detailed inquiry,” a senior Education Department officer told PTI.

“The Block Education Officer has submitted a report, based on which I have initiated disciplinary action against the headmaster of the school. This is unacceptable and so, we have suspended Headmaster Shankarappa in connection with the incident in the school last week.”

Also Read: Principal held for engaging 6 students in manual scavenging

Third incident in the same month

This comes close on the heels of an incident in a state government-run school in Bengaluru where too students were allegedly asked to clean toilets.

Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa condemned the incident and termed it “shocking” and “deplorable”.

“… there is no doubt that we will take the strictest action as per law. Further, I will ensure that such incidents don’t repeat and will ensure that all action is taken by our department,” he said.

Earlier this month, the principal and two staff members of a school in Kolar district were suspended over allegations that some students were made to clean the soak pit on its premises.

Apex child rights body National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has directed the Karnataka police to probe the reported incident where six students, including three Dalit students, were allegedly forced to clean a septic tank used for human waste disposal.

The NCPCR, in a letter addressed to the Kolar Deputy Commissioner, expressed deep concern over the gravity of the reported incident and sought an action taken report within three days from the date of receipt of the communication.

The school principal and an art teacher were arrested by the Kolar police for forcing students to engage in manual scavenging. A separate POSCO case has been registered against the art teacher for videographing female students while they were at their hostel, intruding on their privacy.

(With PTI inputs)