Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jul 5: The Education Department has taken serious note of the incident at a school in St Estevam where a teacher allegedly assaulted 11 class IX students for playing cricket in the classroom. The department has directed the school management to submit a detailed report and initiate an internal inquiry through its Disciplinary Action Committee.

Speaking to The Goan, a senior education official confirmed that the matter is being closely monitored. “We have asked the school to file a comprehensive report at the earliest and initiate a Disciplinary Action Committee inquiry,” the official stated.

Expressing concern, the department noted that while such incidents are rare, they reflect poorly on the institutions. “We conduct regular training on child protection laws and corporal punishment. Yet, it is disheartening that some schools do not implement these guidelines in letter and spirit,” the official remarked.

The department highlighted that such complaints are received from only a handful of schools out of the 1,714 in the State, but reiterated that even one case is taken seriously.

As per reports, the teacher allegedly took the students to a hall and beat them with a wooden stick, stopping only after another teacher intervened. The teacher has since been booked for the assault.

Meanwhile, the accused has applied for anticipatory bail, and the Old Goa police have confirmed that the hearing is scheduled for Monday. Police also conducted a panchanama at the school to record the scene of the incident.