VISAKHAPATNAM : Shocking allegations of abuse came to the fore at Pedabayalu mandal headquarters in Visakhapatnam agency Wednesday after students of the Tribal Welfare Boys Residential School boycotted classes and left for their homes following harassment by their Physical Education Teacher (PET). In a unique way, the students wrote about the teacher’s harassments as the reason on the blackboards in the classrooms before leaving the school.
Around 440 students from class III to class X boycotted classes. According to the students, PET Ch Dhanunjaya has been harassing them for years. They alleged that Dhanunjaya used to kick, severely beat and scold them without reason. Sources said that even though the students complained about Dhanunjaya to the Headmaster Ch Venugopalam, he had not taken any action. Sources said that vexed students discussed boycotting classes at dinner Tuesday night and in the morning, all of them left after writing the reason on the blackboards.
After being informed about the incident, ITDA Paderu deputy director B Kamala along with few other officials reached the spot and reportedly suspended the Headmaster and PET Wednesday afternoon.
After issuing orders to that effect, speaking to newsmen, Kamala said: “There are also rumours that other teachers are involved in this issue. If it’s proven in the investigation, we would depute all the teachers to remote areas as punishment.” Kamala also said that she heard about the PET kicking students in classes and assured action against him if the allegations are proved. The officials also instructed the school teachers to go to the villages and bring students back to school within two days.