Teacher arrested for thrashing students inside class

A contractual teacher in a government-run high school in Ganjam district was arrested for allegedly thrashing a 15-year-old boy, the police said.
Tukuna Pradhan, the science teacher in the Rabi Ghosh Vidyapeeth, Sumandala, under Kodala police station limits allegedly thrashed a student of standard X as he was drowsing in the class on Friday last. The teacher was arrested yesterday.
Sustaining injuries in different parts of his body allegedly due to beating by the teacher, the student was treated at the primary health centre at Sumandal and then referred to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital.
"The teacher was arrested based on the FIR lodged by Siba Prasad Routray, father of the injured student and was forwarded to the court" said inspector-in charge, Kodala police station, Kalpana Kanhar.

The government has banned corporal punishment in the school premises and declared schools as punishment-free zone across the state. Corporal punishment has also been banned in the Right to Education Act.
Even though the school authorities were trying to pacify the matter through the school management committee, the father of the student and other parents did not agree. They demanded exemplary punishment against the teacher.

District Education Officer, (DEO) Ganjam, Sanatan Panda said he would enquire into the matter.
"If he is found guilty, drastic action will be taken," he said.
Child rights campaigner Prabhu Prasad Patra stressed on the sensitisation of teachers in Ganjam district on corporal punishment.