Teacher's alleged assault: Six-year-old UKG student dies in Visakhapatnam school

A six-year-old boy died in Visakhapatnam on Thursday after he was allegedly assaulted by his teacher in his classroom at a private school. The incident occurred at Little Gardens School in the One Town area, sparking protests by the child's family and an investigation by the police.

The boy, identified as Pranay Teja, was a UKG student. He collapsed in his classroom and was rushed to King George Hospital, where he was declared brought dead. His family and relatives gathered outside the hospital, alleging that the assault led to his death. They said the child was healthy and had no known medical issues, though this claim has not been independently verified.

According to CCTV footage from the classroom, which has been widely circulated on social media, the teacher is seen pulling the boy closer and apparently attempting to remove his clothes, reportedly to shame him during a homework check. The child is seen crying and waving his hands in an attempt to stop her. The teacher then pauses, appears to say something to him, and slaps him across the cheek. Moments later, the boy stands still for a while and then collapses.

The police have registered a case and are examining the video evidence. They said a post-mortem examination will be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of death. Authorities are also checking whether the boy had any pre-existing health condition that could have contributed to his collapse. A senior police officer said that further details would be shared only after the investigation is complete and the post-mortem report is received.

The grieving family has demanded a thorough inquiry and stringent action against those responsible. They have also sought a transparent investigation to ensure that the teacher is held accountable if found guilty. Police officials said they are in touch with the family and are taking the matter seriously.

The incident has raised concerns among parents and citizens regarding the safety of children in schools. Many have called for stricter oversight of teachers and better monitoring of classrooms to prevent such incidents. Child rights activists have pointed out that corporal punishment is banned under Section 17 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which prohibits physical punishment and mental harassment of students. The Act also mandates that schools take appropriate action against teachers found violating these provisions.

This incident has once again brought attention to the vulnerability of young children in schools. In recent years, there have been several cases of teachers physically punishing students, leading to serious injuries and even death. Experts argue that while laws exist to protect children, enforcement is weak, and there is a need for regular training of teachers on positive discipline techniques and mandatory CCTV surveillance in classrooms.

The school management has not yet issued a public statement. The investigation is ongoing, and more details are awaited. Meanwhile, the child's last rites are expected to be performed after the post-mortem is completed.