A private school in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district is under investigation after a Class 8 student was forced to sit outside the classroom to write her exam because she was on her menstruation cycle. A video of the girl sitting on the steps and writing her exam, recorded by her mother, went viral on social media and led to public outrage.
The girl is a student at a matriculation school in Senguttaipalayam near Pollachi. Her parents had earlier requested the school to provide a separate desk inside the classroom for her to ensure comfort during her periods. However, on Monday, the girl was made to sit on the steps outside the classroom while writing the exam. On Wednesday, her parents found her again in the same condition. In the viral video, the girl is heard saying, “The principal had instructed her to sit outside.”
Authorities begin inquiry, principal suspended
Director of Matriculation Schools, A. Palanisamy, said, “The Chief Educational Officer is conducting an inquiry. After the report is received, appropriate action will be taken. An explanation has also been sought from the school management by the district educational officer for private schools.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police Shristi Singh also visited the school on Thursday for a preliminary inquiry. She said, “The mother of the student called the class teacher on the evening of April 6 around 5:30 p.m. and requested a special seating arrangement. The class teacher reportedly asked the mother to speak to the principal.”
She added that on April 7, the mother met the principal and requested a safer arrangement to prevent infections. But after she left, the girl was made to sit outside to write the exam. That evening, the girl complained of leg pain. She skipped school the next day but returned on Wednesday to write another exam. A relative noticed her sitting outside and informed the parents. The mother rushed to the school and filmed the scene.
Case registered under SC/ST Act
The school’s correspondent later suspended the principal under Section 17 of the Right to Education Act, which bans physical or mental harassment of children.
The girl’s father filed a police complaint. A case was registered against Principal M. Anandhi, office assistant Shanthi, and Correspondent Thangavelpandian under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(za)(D) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The complaint also said that the mother was insulted on caste grounds when she questioned the mistreatment.
Read: UP woman fakes rape story, inserted bullet inside body via surgery
