MCPCR orders to compensate against expelling student

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, 7 June, 2018: In a right to education related case, the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), ordered the Principal, Catholic School Canchipur, to pay a compensation of Rs. 50,000 to a girl student of Class VI, who was expelled from the school by issuing transfer certificate.

The commission announced its order on May 25 and asked the compensation amount be paid within 30 days from the date of announcing the order.

As per the school authority the girl was said to be caught while she was allegedly copying during the final examination held in November, 2017 and as a penalty she was debarred from appearing examination. Subsequently the school authority issued transfer certificate of the student. Following the incident the girl was shocked and suffered deep mental trauma and her formal schooling was badly disturbed, said a press statement released by MCPCR.

Responding to an application filed by the father of the student, the ZEO Wangoi, through its official letter No. 1/1/2017-ZEO/W dated January 19 asked the principal, Catholic School Canchipur to re-admit the student in appropriate class in this year’s academic session by cancelling the transfer certificate issued. However, it was not complied by the principal, added the statement.

The aggrieved father of the student lodged another application to this Commission, on January 10, under sections 31 (1) and 32 (3) of the Right of the Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The Commission registered it as an appeal case No. 1/2018-MCPCR(AC).

In the “Order” passed by the Commission, it was mentioned that ” The Commission considers it fit to take up an inquiry against the Respondent No. 1 under section 14 and 15 of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 in order to exemplify that the arms of law is very long and punish the delinquents. The Commission considers it to be of utmost importance to find out whether the Respondent No. 1, the Principal of the Catholic School is fit to take up action for prosecution in the appropriate court for causing punishment in accordance with the law of this land”.