Kondagaon- In a school in Kondagaon district of Chhattisgarh, a teacher subjected 25 students to third-degree punishment for allegedly soiling the toilet. The enraged teacher reportedly burnt the hands of the school children with boiling oil, resulting in blisters. When the incident came to light, it triggered a public outcry. In response, the District Education Officer recommended the suspension of the school's head teacher, along with two other teachers. However, this action has sparked resentment among the parents of the affected children towards the school management.

The case unfolded when information surfaced about students defecating in the ladies' bathroom at Koravahi Middle School in the Makdi block of Kondagaon district. When questioned, the frightened students refrained from revealing anyone's name. The irate teacher heated oil in the school kitchen for lunch and poured it on the students' palms. The teachers denied punishing anyone and claimed that the children poured the hot oil on each other's hands while playing. Following the viral video depicting children with blisters on their hands, the Education Department initiated a prompt investigation.

Principal Johari Markam, teacher Poonam Thakur, teacher Mitali Verma, and sweeper Damru Ram Yadav have been implicated in this incident. Officials from the Child Protection Officer and Education Department are investigating whether the children inflicted the hot oil on themselves or if it was the teachers' actions.

BRC Tahir Khan of the Makdi Block has submitted an investigative report to the District Education Officer. In response, District Education Officer Madhulika Tiwari stated that the Joint Director has been recommended to suspend sweeper Damru Ram, along with the headmaster and both teachers who were found guilty in the preliminary investigation. Once the entire matter is scrutinized, strict action will be taken against the teachers and sweeper under the Child Protection Act and by the Education Department.

The Education Department is facing criticism for this cruel incident involving children. This marks the first instance of teachers administering such punishment to students over issues of defecation and sanitation in the ladies' bathroom at this rural middle school in Kondagaon district. Parents are demanding an impartial investigation, the suspension of the guilty teachers, and legal action. The Child Protection Officer has taken cognizance of the matter, assuring a thorough investigation.

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