Student suspended for posting abusive message to rejoin school from Monday

“The punishment was reduced after we met the management and the principal. We told the authorities it was just a childish prank and suspending the kid for 30 days would affect him badly. It was not even his fault. My son’s right arm was fractured for a month and he could not have written those messages. The messages were posted by his friend. The school authorities considered our request and reduced the suspension,” said the father of the student. The boy’s father on Tuesday had alleged he posted the objectionable messages only after they got an abusive message from the other side.

Dr Vandana Tandon,the principal of the school,said,“The suspension is not cancelled but reduced as we want other students to know committing such a mischief would not be overlooked and they will be punished for it. The boy will be attending the school from Monday after which we will be arranging for a counselling session for him. His parents have agreed that it was their son’s fault and have assured us that it won’t be repeated again.”

Jayant Jain,president of NGO Forum for Fairness in Education,said,“ It is good that the school has reduced the punishment. They must now work on sensitising other students in the school.”

Though the school and the boy’s parents have resolved the dispute at their level,Education Department has started a probe into the matter. “As the allegations were made from both the sides,we are treating the matter seriously.I have asked one of our officials to talk to the school principal and the boy,following which action will be initiated,” said P R Pawar,education inspector of western region.