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Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Indian Express
School staff took fingerprints of menstruating girls to match it with the blood on toilet wall: Parents
A day after it emerged that girl students of a private school in Thane were stripped to check if they were menstruating, aggrieved parents said that the school staff took the fingerprints of menstruating students to match it with the blood-stained fingerprint found on a toilet wall, and identify the girl to take action. They also alleged lack of water supply in the school's toilets. One of the parents said, 'We were horrified to learn from our children that the school had taken photographs of the blood stains on the toilet wall and projected them on a screen, asking for explanation from the girls. They even took fingerprints of the menstruating students to allegedly match them with the marks on the wall. This is outrageous.' Raising the issues of lack of basic facilities in the school, a parent said, 'With no water in the toilet, one of the menstruating girls may have wiped her stained finger on the wall.' 'Not just water shortage, there are frequent power cuts also in the school. When parents try to raise these concerns, the principal refuses to meet us. Even though there's a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), no meetings or discussions ever take place,' said another parent. A significant number of parents gathered at the police station on Thursday, where an FIR has been lodged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, booking eight individuals — all women — including the school principal, four teachers, two trustees and one attendant. While the principal and the attendant were arrested on Wednesday, three out of four accused teachers were taken into custody on Thursday. Parents demanded strict action against the school administration as Maharashtra State Women's Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar visited there to take stock of the situation. A police official investigating the complaint, said, 'The two trustees, both aged over 80, cannot be arrested due to their age. We are in the process of arresting the fourth teacher.' All five arrested individuals were produced in court on Thursday and have been remanded in police custody until July 15. 'It is a very disturbing incident and more so shocking because the police department has been conducting awareness campaigns with local schools on POCSO and other matters so that those dealing with children are made aware,' said the official. Elaborating on the treatment meted out to the girls in the school on Tuesday, the parents alleged that the accused on Tuesday forced nearly 10 girls to undress for a physical check after they said that they were not menstruating. Calling it 'purposeful harassment', one of the parents said that her daughter was targeted for raising voice against the inappropriate treatment. 'My daughter wore a sanitary pad as a precaution because her period was due. She stood with the group of non-menstruating girls. They were checked one by one by an attendant in the toilet. When she was found to be wearing a pad, she was accused of lying. My daughter was harassed even more because she questioned the school's actions. I was called to the school and they complained that my daughter was lying,' the mother said. In an inquiry, the state school education department also discovered that the school has not formed Sakhi Savitri Committee, a mandatory body aimed at ensuring student safety in schools. The school also does not have a functioning Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), which is a mandatory body in educational institutions to address and resolve sexual harassment complaints. 'These are serious regulatory violations,' said Chakankar, adding that the education department must consider revoking the school's approval but after prioritising that there is no academic loss to the students enrolled there. Chakankar said, 'These girls are at a sensitive age where educators must show empathy. Instead, the school handled the situation in the most inappropriate way — projecting images of blood stains on screens and conducting unauthorised physical checks to determine menstruation. This is absolutely unacceptable.' Stating that such a treatment may have scarred the girls mentally and emotionally, Chakankar said that she has directed the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to provide counselling support to the affected girls. The school has been closed since Wednesday and a meeting is scheduled in the school on Friday, where representatives from the police, education department, and CWC will be present, along with parents. Based on the outcome of the meeting, the education department plans to reopen the school on July 14. An official from the school education department said, 'The school, which has nearly 700 students, has been closed since Wednesday. It needs to reopen soon to prevent academic loss. However, with the principal in custody and four teachers under investigation, operating the school will be a challenge. As it's a private unaided institution, government teachers cannot be deployed as a stop-gap arrangement. The trust of the school needs to take proactive action, but there is no cooperation from that end.'
The Sun
03-07-2025
- The Sun
Company owner fined RM10,000 for cheating school PTA in Butterworth
BUTTERWORTH: An electrical wiring services company owner was fined RM10,000 by the Sessions Court after admitting to cheating a school's Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) into paying RM20,000 for six Smart TV units, of which only four were delivered. Judge Zulhazmi Abdullah ruled that Mohd Khairudin Ali Amran, 40, must serve five months in jail if he fails to pay the fine. The accused deceived the PTA of a local school by submitting a quotation for six 65-inch Philips Smart TVs but only supplying four units. The offence occurred on May 26, 2023, at the school premises. Charged under Section 417 of the Penal Code, Mohd Khairudin could have faced up to five years in prison, a fine, or both if convicted. During mitigation, the unrepresented accused informed the court of his financial responsibilities, including supporting his wife, two children—one with a disability—and his mother. Deputy Public Prosecutor Noor Azura Zulkiflee represented the prosecution.
Borneo Post
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Character building through sports key to holistic education, says S'wak Transport Minister
Lee (centre) pulls the ribbon to release balloons, officially launching SK Tudan's Annual Athletic Meet 2025. MIRI (July 3): Holistic education and character building through sports are vital to producing well-rounded students who excel both academically and in co-curricular activities, said Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. Speaking at SK Tudan's Annual Athletic Meet 2025 yesterday, he emphasised that education is not confined to the classroom alone, and that co-curricular activities such as athletics offer valuable opportunities for students to develop discipline and teamwork – traits that are essential to both personal growth and academic success. 'Through sports, students learn the value of discipline and the spirit of working together as a team to achieve success. It is through these experiences that they come to understand the importance of unity and collaboration,' he said. The Senadin assemblyman commended the school's headmaster, teachers, and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for their continued efforts in organising meaningful activities, as well as parents for their presence and support in nurturing their children's development. Touching on the importance of education as a cornerstone of national and state progress, Ling urged parents to take their children's education seriously, especially by ensuring consistent school attendance. 'I was informed by the headmaster that some students have been skipping school. If your children are healthy and have no health problems, please make sure they attend school every day. Skipping school will negatively affect their learning,' he stressed. Furthermore, Lee addressed SK Tudan's infrastructural needs and urged the Ministry of Education Malaysia to promptly launch vital projects, including the construction of a new classroom block, new toilet facilities, a canteen, and an administrative block. He also urged the Education Department to expedite these upgrades, especially the replacement of unsafe and dilapidated buildings including old teachers' quarters. 'These are essential improvements to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for our children,' he said. Lee added that since becoming the assemblyman for Senadin, he has consistently allocated annual funds to support the school's operations and minor development projects. This year, he allocated RM20,000 to SK Tudan's PTA, with RM10,000 already disbursed and the remaining to be released soon. He also shared updates on other ongoing projects in the area, including a newly completed covered waiting area for parents to pick up their children, valued at RM100,000, and the pedestrian bridge in front of the school, costing nearly RM7 million. Among those present at the event were SK Tudan headmaster Lim Ai Giok, SK Tudan PTA chairperson Rebecca Bedindang, and Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Lutong chief Henry Jugah. character building Lee Kim Shin SK Tudan sports
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Beat cops to knock on every door
people-friendly policing Mane Manege Police drug-related activities Towing system returns Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday announced a new statewide initiative called '' (Police to Every Home), aimed at fostering trust and addressing issues at the grassroots after a review meeting with senior police officials at the City Police Commissioner's Office, the minister said the initiative is part of the broader 'people-friendly policing' framework. Under this program, beat constables will visit homes regularly to listen to citizens' concerns, resolve minor disputes amicably, and rebuild public confidence in law enforcement.'This is the first time such a model will be implemented across Karnataka. Regular interaction with residents will help change public perception and create a sense of accessibility and transparency,' said Parames review also covered key law and order concerns. Officials have been directed to increase police presence in public spaces, especially during peak hours, and actively engage with citizens to encourage community participation in crime prevention. The minister emphasised the importance of police attending Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings in schools and colleges to discuss drug abuse, traffic safety, and legal concern over rising reports of Khaji Nyaya (Kangaroo Court)-like activities in police stations, where civil disputes are being 'settled' unofficially, Parameshwara warned that such practices are breeding grounds for corruption. He issued strict warnings to the force, stating that any officer caught engaging in corrupt practices or unauthorised dispute settlements would face stringent disciplinary to the recent meeting chaired by the Chief Minister and other top officials, Parameshwara said a clear accountability mechanism will be implemented for civic infrastructure failures. Engineers and department heads responsible for poor maintenance or negligence leading to accidents will be booked under the relevant sections of the Home Minister reiterated that Bengaluru will not be allowed to become a haven for drug peddlers. Jurisdictional police will be held directly accountable for anyin their areas. 'There will be no leniency in drug cases. Officers will be questioned and action will be taken if peddling is reported under their watch,' he enhance women's safety, the city has deployed over 9,000 new CCTV cameras at vulnerable locations, connected to a central command centre for 24/7 monitoring.
Rakyat Post
13-05-2025
- Rakyat Post
Teacher Misses Own Wedding After Principal Denies Leave From School Meeting?
Subscribe to our FREE In a story that's raising eyebrows, a bride in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, was notably absent from her own wedding after her school principal reportedly denied her leave to attend. The reason? A scheduled Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting. The incident came to light when a social media user shared that their mother attended what turned out to be a highly unusual wedding ceremony – one without its main participants. The post quickly went viral, garnering over 40,000 views and leading to public outrage. 'I Thought This Was Just a Rumour' Local educator and social commentator Mohd Fadli Salleh initially thought the story was too outrageous to be true. 'I thought this was just a rumour. It's unthinkable that someone wouldn't be given leave for their own wedding,' he wrote in a Facebook post. However, he later confirmed the incident's authenticity. The case has led to a heated debate about workplace empathy and administrative overreach in Malaysian schools. Critics are questioning the principal's judgment, with many pointing out that such strict management styles can damage staff morale and workplace relationships. 'Work becomes enjoyable when administrators understand, compromise, and make things easier for their subordinates,' Fadli noted in his commentary, highlighting how this incident represents a concerning example of bureaucracy gone wrong. The Social Media Storm That Followed The bride, who remains unnamed, reportedly followed the principal's orders despite it being her wedding day—a detail that has only increased the public's sympathy for her situation and criticism of the administration's lack of compassion. The incident has become a talking point about work-life balance and leadership in Malaysia's education sector, with many calling for a review of school administrative policies. While the story has sparked widespread outrage, the subsequent apology for any misunderstandings and careful backtracking by the original poster suggest there might be additional context not made public. As is often the case with viral social media stories, the full picture may be more nuanced than initial reports suggested. I don't blame anyone. I'm not saying who's right or wrong. I just feel sad to hear that the bride couldn't attend her own wedding. That's all. He meant only to express sadness about the situation as related by the bride's mother-in-law. He also acknowledged that sharing the story may have inadvertently affected the reputation of those involved, and emphasised he wasn't blaming anyone for what happened. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
