Student scared of going back to school, parents say he is shattered
Student scared of going back to school, parents say he is shattered
The Right to Education may be a big improvement in India's flawed schooling system, but it's not an answer to everything. Siddharth Mukherjee, a class nine student at GLT Saraswati Bal Mandir, Lajpat Nagar, was called pagal and was mocked at for being a slow-learner. Siddharth was asked to repeat class nine this year as the school didn't want its CBSE board result to be below the mark. 
Mean act: GLT Saraswati Bal Mandir at Nehru Nagar near Lajpat Nagar
in New Delhi.u00a0 PIC/SUBHASH BAROLIA
On September 18, Siddharth went to school to appear for a Science examination, where he was handed a test paper of a junior class by the invigilator. The lady teacher allegedly said, "Ye pagal kya likhega" in front of the entire class, at which everyone in the room laughed.
Siddharth was shattered by this humiliating treatment and went back home crying. He reported the matter to his father, who was shocked to see his son in such a state.
"My son is scared to go to school. He is teased and made fun ofu00a0 by teachers in a room full of children his age. He is disturbed and shattered. I did not expect teachers to play such a de-motivating role in his life," said Siddharth's mother.
"I spoke to the class teacher who supposedly was not aware of the September 18 incident and expressed concern hearing the matter. But this is not just a single incident. My son has complained about the mocking and degrading behaviour of teachers towards him except for the class teacher," said S D Mukherjee, his father, an engineer.u00a0
However Mr Yogi, Siddharth's class teacher said: "It is not a very big incident. I am aware of the child's mental state and have spoken to the parents quite a few times before this incident. He is a nice and talented kid. I didn't know of the episode till his father spoke to me about it. I have found out who the lady teacher was and will report to the principal regarding the matter."u00a0
The victim's parents have filed a complaint with the school as well as with the All India Parents Association (AIPA).
"Humiliation of a child in school is a serious and condemnable matter. Such teachers should not be allowed to continue in the profession. What kind of education would they impart? I have reported the matter to the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), appropriate action should be taken soon," said Ashok Aggarwal, national president, AIPA. The DCPCR has claimed that the matter has been taken into cognizance and such incidents would not be tolerated.
However, in a strange statement, the principal Ram Gopal Aggarwal said: "I am not aware of the incident. My son is down with dengue and I have not been going to school. I will address the issue once I go back."
"I can't believe that the principal is not aware of the incident. Episode's like this can ruin a child's life. It is an unpardonable act and calls for disciplinary action against the teacher," said Delhi BJP chief Vijender Singh.
According to Dr Ajay Pal Singh, Psychiatrist, Max Health Care, New Delhi: "Many students have learning disabilities. But such incidents at the hands of the teachers who are supposed to be the role models are unacceptable. It lowers a child's self-esteem, making him vulnerable. Prolonged humiliation might lead to depression as well. If a child is slow at learning, teachers must not see it as a disciplinary fault. Mocking a student amidst his peers can have life-long repercussions. Children have impressionable minds and such incidents can leave scars, difficult to heal."
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