Four teachers suspended in Nuapada after student drowns

Balangir: The district education officer (DEO) of Nuapada on Tuesday suspended four teachers, including the headmaster of a high school under Boden block, for alleged dereliction of duty after a Class III student drowned while bathing in a nearby canal during the lunch break on Monday.The teachers placed under suspension were identified as headmaster of Budhapada upgraded high school, Rajendra Joshi, and assistant teachers Kishor Sahu, Hingula Majhi and Lochan Behera.“The teachers were suspended for negligence in duty after a preliminary inquiry conducted on the basis of a complaint received from the family of the deceased. It is the responsibility of the teachers to ensure any student does not leave the campus during school hours,” said DEO Karunakara Bhue.Bhue said new teachers will be deputed to the school in place of the suspended ones so the academic activities are not affected. Further action against the suspended teachers will be taken after discussion with the higher authority.According to a source, Keshab Jagat (8) went to the nearby canal to bathe with fellow students during the lunch break. While bathing, he drowned and later locals fished out his body.After the death, irate villagers locked the teachers for six hours inside the school.