Kasaragod DDE submits report, headmaster on leave from school following massive protest

KASARAGOD: Kasaragod DDE T.V. Madhusudhanan has submitted an investigation report to the Director of General Education over the incident of a headmaster damaging the eardrum of class 10th student Abhinav Krishna (15) yesterday.

Education Minister V Sivankutty had directed an inquiry into the incident that took place at Kundamkuzhi Government Higher Secondary School. The DDE, who arrived at the school yesterday morning, took evidence from the student, the school's senior assistant, the class teacher, and the child's mother. The DDE summoned the first teacher to his office after he didn’t appear in school, fearing strong protests.

D. D. E. Madhusudhanan told Kerala Kaumudi that the report included facts that were confirmed during the investigation. The Child Rights Commission suo motu registered a case in the incident. The commission directed the DySP of Bekal to conduct a detailed investigation and submit a report. The Child Rights Commission will visit the child's house today and record his statement.

The controversy arose when the head teacher, who was angry at seeing the child remove gravel with his foot during the school assembly on August 11, slapped the child. The sister of the student, a class five student, fainted upon seeing her brother getting slapped. The child, who suffered severe ear pain in the evening, was taken to a private hospital in Kasaragod on the advice of a doctor at a government hospital. A detailed examination revealed that the eardrum had ruptured. The doctors also advised that the child needed surgery. The child's mother also said that the fellow teachers had offered to settle the matter by paying Rs one lakh for treatment. Youth Congress and BJP activists marched to the school yesterday, demanding action against the teacher.