NILGIRIS: The Educational Department officials in Nilgiris are investigating the incident in which a female student in uniform was allegedly forced to wash utensils used in the noon meals scheme at a government-aided primary school in Green Fields in Ooty town on Wednesday afternoon.
A video and picture of the same were widely shared on social media.
The girl, studying in Class 4 was allegedly washing a plate after completing her lunch, at the washing area near the noon meal centre, while another girl was watching. This was allegedly recorded in video by a person from the nearby residential area.
However, when enquired, sources in the school said that they have not forced the girl to wash utensils, and she did it of her own volition. She was washing her own plate after completing lunch, while the noon meal staff were away to fetch water.
“We suspect the video was taken on purpose to defame the school and the noon meal staff who joined recently. So far, there have been no allegations levelled against the school. Ten years ago, the total student strength was only six, but now it has increased to 27 due to our efforts in the primary level,” said a teacher who has been at the school for 14 years.
Nandakumar, Nilgiris District Educational Officer (DEO), who is also the CEO in-charge, said that the elementary DEO conducted an inquiry on Wednesday after the video came out and will submit a report to him on Friday.
“Based on the report, I will take action. If the teacher or cook engaged female students to clean vessels, we will ask the management to take action against them,” he added.