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‘School staff were lax’

Hindustan Times | ByRitika Chopra, New Delhi
May 21, 2009 01:36 AM IST

In a vindication of sorts for Akkriti Bhatia's parents, the government inquiry into the student's death found laxity on the part of two staff members of Modern School, Vasant Vihar, reports Ritika Chopra.

In a vindication of sorts for Akkriti Bhatia's parents, the government inquiry into the student's death found laxity on the part of two staff members of Modern School, Vasant Vihar.

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Bhatia, a Class XII student, had died on her away from school to the nearest hospital after she suffered an acute asthma attack last month.

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The finding, part of the inquiry report submitted by a four-member committee on Tuesday, led the education department to direct the school management to suspend school nurse Lilly Kutty and discipline in-charge Anand P. Seth on Wednesday.

“Seth and Kutty are the two people who were around Akkriti the longest. The two have been found lax in their response to the student’s situation. Akkriti should have been taken to the hospital earlier,” said Education Secretary Rina Ray.

The 17-year-old's family had accused Principal Goldy Malhotra of negligence saying the child could have been saved if Malhotra had called for an ambulance instead of waiting for the student’s car.

Hindustan Times could not confirm with the school principal if the suspension orders had been carried out. Seth said he had not received any intimation till late Wednesday evening.

“I am not aware of the suspension directive and haven’t been informed by the school on this yet,” said Seth. The school management has been given a week’s time to comply with the directive.

Modern School, Vasant Vihar, has also been directed by the education department to appoint a full-time medical officer within a month.

Other government-recognised institutions, too, have been ordered to appoint either a part or full-time medical officers.
Bhatia’s parents, however, were not too happy with the decision of the education department.

“The suspension of the nurse and the discipline in-charge is only an eyewash. Goldy Malhotra is the head of the school and action should be taken against her and not her stooges,” said mother Vani Bhatia.

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