School panel chairperson ‘slaps’ teacher

The chairperson of a Bankura district primary school committee (DPSC) has been accused of hitting a school teacher for allegedly refusing to entertain a request for admission sent by her.

This morning, a man came to the headmistress of Kalitala Primary School to get his child admitted to Class I. An assistant teacher, Swarup Karmakar, said the request could not be granted because of technical reasons, following which the guardian allegedly started misbehaving.

"The guardian, Papun Chowdhury, went to the headmistress for admission of his child in Class I. I said it was not possible because the child was seven plus and only fit for Class II according to the Right to Education (RTE) circular issued by the chairperson. Chowdhury started misbehaving and threatened me, saying he was sent by Rinku Banerjee, chairperson of DPSC. At 8.40, I was called to the headmistress's cabin. When I entered the room, Banerjee slapped me on my cheek and said we were turning this place into a red fort," said Karmakar.

Banerjee, however, had a different story. She said she had received many complaints regarding refusal of admission in the school, violating the RTE circular she had sent. "Today I heard there was some trouble. I went to the school and when the assistant teacher misbehaved with me verbally, I gave him a stern warning to mend his ways. I did not hit anyone," she said.

A complaint was filed by Karmakar against Banerjee. Later, a counter complaint was filed at the Bankura Sadar police station.

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