Karnataka: In a disturbing incident at a government residential school in Yadgir’s Shahapur taluk, a Class 9 student gave birth to a baby boy in the facility’s restroom on Wednesday evening, highlighting major oversights by the staff. Karnataka Educational Institutions Society executive director Kantharaju has suspended the school’s principal, hostel warden, science teacher, and physical teacher for failing in their responsibilities.
District police reported that the 17-year-old girl carried the pregnancy to full term without any staff members detecting changes in her behavior. The suspensions came after district child protection officer Nirmala filed a complaint at the Shahapur police station. Shahapur, located in North Karnataka, sits about 550km from Bengaluru.
Deputy commissioner Harshal Bhoyar described the event as “unfortunate” and noted that the school did not inform the district administration. He mentioned that investigations are underway from various perspectives, including potential child marriage, but declined to share more due to the case’s sensitivity. Shashidhar Kosmbe, a member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, informed Media agency that the staff concealed “the shocking incident” and neglected their obligations.
Regulations require a staff nurse to perform monthly health and menstrual cycle checks on female hostel students, recording any health concerns or behavioral shifts. “No such efforts were made in the school to curb this incident. We are really wondering why school staff members didn’t bother about the girl’s condition until she gave birth in the restroom,” he said, confirming that both the mother and child are in good health and have been moved to a government hospital.
The commission has directed the district child protection officer to provide a detailed report. “We’ve spoken to the SP to file an FIR after receiving a complaint from the district child protection officer. The commission has already filed a suo motu case against the school authority. The deputy director of district social welfare has been directed to take disciplinary action against the school staff,” he added.
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