Neerja Batra, the officiating principal of Ryan International School Bhondsi has joined the school’s Sector 40 branch in Gurugram, much to the dismay of parents, as Hindustan Times reported.
It was on Batra’s watch that an 8-year-old was found murdered in the school’s washroom, despite which she was given administrative clearance.
Barun Thakur, the victim’s father told The Quint that he was shocked at the management’s decision.
What do you expect me to say? Now 3000 more kids are in danger. If this is how the management treats the loss of a child, with no punishment or even enquiry, all parents should be worried. I learnt that lesson, the hard way. Hope no one else does.
Raghav Misra, another parent of a class 3 student said that it was an absolutely careless move on the part of the school’s management.
This is shocking. The move by Ryan management only proves how careless and ignorant they are. Parents of this school branch should protest and refuse to send their children to this school. They shouldn’t be silent.
Parveen Kankriya, whose son was in Pradyumn's class said he was worried what will happen three months later, when the government is no longer managing the school.
I am more worried about what will happen to the school three months after this. What guarantee do we have that she won’t be appointed to Bhondsi, if the government gives the school back to the management? I have lost the little faith I had in this school.
The parents of students at the Sector 40 school in Gurugram said Batra’s appointment was unacceptable, as she was suspended on grounds of negligence. They are also concerned about the psychological impact of her presence at school on the children, who have seen her interact with the media on TV.
Batra was the officiating principal at the Bhondsi branch of the school since April, after the then principal Rakhi Verma had resigned. Batra has been associated with the school for the past 20 years and has worked at the Sector 40 branch in the past as well.
Parents are concerned that till the real culprit is convicted, anyone can come under suspicion, who was in the school on 8 September, the day of the crime.
A group of parents who met the principal were assured that Batra would not be taking classes, but was still seen teaching students.
I had ordered to send her to the sector 40 branch of Ryan International School as she was not responsible for the incident. She had done her bit by informing the school management of the safety and security lapses through emails and she had no financial power. If she had not sent the emails, she would also have been arrested by the police for her negligence. Her deployment was originally at the sector 40 branch and I have sent her back as keeping her at Bhondsi could have been an issue.Vinay Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Gurgaon
“If parents have issues they should speak to the school management. Now, it is the school management’s prerogative to retain her in the branch or post her to another. It’s up to the sector 40 school management how to utilise her services,” said Singh who is in charge of the school administration for three months by a government order.
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