Panel needed to assess children’s psychological issues

Justice M V Muralidharan said, “On identifying the problems faced by the students, dedicated counselling and orientation programmes should be held for all teachers and students.”

Noting that the teachers shall be appropriately advised about how to handle children who are sensitive, the judge also held that the HM / Head of the school shall maintain periodic reports of the counseling / orientation and remedial action taken to address the students’ grievances.

Also, calling on the government to take steps to ensure that schools have a dedicated counsellor, the judge directed the Secretary to Government, School Education Department, to file a report on the action taken by complying to the above directions by April 09, 2018. Originally, as per the case on hand G Kanakaraj, a Post Graduate Assistant Teacher in Chemistry at the Corporation Girls Higher Secondary School in Shenoy Nagar, had allegedly used abusive words and beaten Class 12 students on July 8, 2009. Based on a complaint filed against him by the students, he was transferred.

However, the judge set aside the government order issued on November 22, 2011 on the basis that “if the principles of natural justice are violated in a departmental enquiry/proceeding, then any subsequent act that follows it cannot be said to be sustainable in law.