PANAJI
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has issued a show-cause notice to Deepvihar High School, Sada, Mormugao, seeking an explanation within three days over alleged lapses in the planning and supervision of a school excursion during which a 17-year-old student drowned in Sattari earlier this week.
The notice raises serious questions over the school’s safety arrangements for the picnic and trekking programme, in which students were accompanied by only four teachers. The Directorate has sought a detailed explanation from the school management regarding the organisation of the excursion and the supervision provided during the trip.
The DoE has asked the management to specify which teachers were entrusted by the headmaster/ principal with organising and supervising the excursion and what action has been initiated against those responsible. It has also sought to know why action should not be taken against the management committee for allegedly failing to properly organise and manage the excursion.
Further, the Directorate has asked the school to explain why proceedings should not be initiated under Rules 43 and 56 of the Goa School Education Rules, 1986, and Section 20(2) and (3) of the Goa School Education Act, 1984. It has also questioned why disciplinary action should not be initiated if the management fails to submit a satisfactory reply within the stipulated three-day period.
“We have issued a notice to the school management. Necessary strict action will be taken as per law. It’s a very serious issue,” Director of Education Shailesh Zingade said.
The Directorate has warned that failure to respond within the prescribed time, or submission of an unsatisfactory explanation, will invite action under the provisions of the Goa School Education Act, 1984, and the Goa School Education Rules, 1986.
The notice follows the drowning death of the 17-year-old student during the school picnic and trekking programme in Sattari, an incident that has triggered widespread outrage and protests by the victim’s family, who have alleged negligence on the part of the school.
Valpoi police have registered a case of negligence against four teachers and two tour operators, all of whom have been arrested. Preliminary investigations indicate that the group entered a wildlife area without obtaining the mandatory permission and later proceeded towards a waterfall and trekking route despite the risks posed by the terrain and water body.
