Pune: The Maharashtra State Educational Institutions Board, headed by Supriya Sule, Member of Parliament from Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), has criticized the state government’s "hasty action" in the Badlapur school student abuse case.
The executive chairman of the Maharashtra State Educational Institutions Board, Vijay Naval Patil, raised concerns over the government's handling of the situation.
One of the primary concerns raised by the board is the government’s decision to arrest the head of the educational institution without conducting a thorough investigation.
"What kind of democracy is this?" questioned the board, suggesting that such hasty action undermines the principles of justice. The board has urged the state to take a more measured approach, advocating for a detailed investigation before any legal action is taken against the school authorities.
In addition to this, the Maharashtra State Educational Institutions Board has demanded a meeting with the government to discuss the installation of CCTV cameras in schools.
They requested an extension to the deadline for implementing this safety measure, along with a plea for the government to provide financial support for the installation of these cameras. "The government should allocate grants for this purpose," said Patil, emphasizing that the burden of installing security infrastructure should not fall solely on private educational institutions.
Vijay Naval Patil also pointed out the need for a female security guard in schools to ensure the safety of students. He criticized the government’s rapid action, claiming it was a response to public pressure rather than a well-thought-out decision.
According to Patil, the government acted hastily to avoid further backlash, resulting in actions against the school management without sufficient evidence.
The executive chairman also highlighted the broader issue of responsibility in such incidents. "How can the head of the institution alone be held responsible for every incident of abuse in schools?" he asked, stressing that a more comprehensive approach is needed to address systemic failures.
Patil reiterated the board's position that while safety measures like CCTV cameras are essential, the government must provide financial support to private schools to implement them.
