It was heartbreaking to read that the 14-year-old scheduled caste girl, K Sai Deepthi, who was a student of Jyothi High School in Hyderabad hanged herself from the ceiling fan in her house for being prevented from writing an exam and made to stand outside when she failed to pay the fee in time. It is shocking that, even in this advanced age, teachers scold, insult and punish students for every little thing. As far as fees are concerned, students must not be questioned on delayed fees. Instead, the school management should directly consult the guardians of students. That is because students feel, if asked about delay in fee payment, embarrassed and mentally get disturbed, which compels them to take such extreme steps.
Asif Iqbal Qasmi
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
