Class III student rescued from tin box at Sundargarh school: BEO Issues showcause notice

Rourkela: The block education officer (BEO) of Gurundia in Sundargarh district issued a showcause notice to the headmaster of govt school on Sunday following the rescue of a Class III student from a tin box in the hostel after being trapped for three hours on Friday.On Friday, two Class III students, both aged 9, are said to have fought in the hostel over some issue before 10 am, after which one of them went to class. During attendance, the class teacher noticed the other boy’s absence and inquired with other students, who stated they did not know his whereabouts. A search was conducted for the boy but was initially unsuccessful. The class teacher informed the headmaster, and the boy’s parents were notified of his disappearance.

His mother arrived at the school, prompting a search operation. Two teachers then heard sounds coming from a tin box in the boy’s hostel room. Upon lifting the cover, they found the boy. He alleged that his roommate had put him in the box, a claim the latter denied. The rescued boy’s mother took him home and accused the school and hostel authorities of negligence.On Saturday, a meeting was held at the school regarding the incident, after which headmaster Gangadhar Seth removed Meena Kishan, deputy superintendent of the hostel, citing negligence.

On Sunday, BEO (in-charge) Bhagwan Bankira issued a showcause notice to Seth directing him to reply within two days. “After receiving the reply of the headmaster, if required, further inquiry will be done and necessary action will be taken against the guilty,” Bankira added.The school, which has 302 students in classes I to X, has 40 hostel beds, accommodating 35 children.