Tripura CM suspends headmaster for physically punishing student

Agartala: With the instruction of the Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, District Education Officer of Tripura’s Unakoti district on Thursday suspended the Headmaster of Depacherra S B School in Pecharthal for physically punishing a female student on June 28, which was exposed by the media.

The official said the initial investigation revealed that the accused headmaster Binay Priya Chakma had subjected a female student identified as Aparna Reang to brutal physical punishment.

According to the suspension order, the Rights of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 prohibits ‘Physical Punishment’ and ‘Mental Harassment’ under section 17(1) and makes them a punishable offense under section 17(2).

“Physical punishment affects both the mental and physical health of students as well as destroys the teaching-learning environment of the school besides violation of the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009,” the order read.

Furthermore, the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act, 2015, reinforces these safeguards, particularly in 'alternative care settings' for children, as outlined in Articles 39(e) and 39(f).

Consequently, by the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 1965, the headmaster was placed under immediate suspension, the order stated.