Hardoi Sunbeam School Controversy: After the video of the fee and copy-book dispute between Principal Mamta Mishra and the female guardian in Hardoi’s Sunbeam School went viral, the administration took major action. The crisis has deepened due to the principal’s entry ban, directions for a lawsuit and the school’s recognition.
Hardoi School Principal Viral Video: The controversy over a private school in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh has now turned into a big case of administrative action. The district administration has taken a strict stance after a dispute over fees and copy-books between the principal and a female parent at Sunbeam School located on Canal Road went viral on social media.
In the video, Principal Mamta Mishra talking to the parent in a loud voice and using words like ‘shutup’ became a topic of discussion. As soon as the matter came to light, the Basic Education Department, police and cyber team reached the school and started investigation. Now instructions have been given to file a case against the principal, while he has been banned from coming to school till the investigation is completed.
The controversy started on 24 April
According to the information, on April 24, Neelam Verma, a female parent at Sunbeam School, Hardoi, came to meet the principal with problems related to her daughter’s education and fees. It is alleged that the school administration was pressurizing him to buy expensive copies and books.
Neelam Verma says that her daughter was not even being given homework and when she asked for some time to deposit the fees, she was treated rudely. Meanwhile, the principal angrily said ‘shutup’ and spoke in a loud voice. This entire incident was recorded on video, which later went viral on social media.
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Administration into action after viral video
On April 27, BSA Dr. Ajit Singh along with police and cyber team raided the school. During the investigation, the school premises were inspected and necessary registers along with CCTV footage (DVR) were taken into custody by the administration. Teachers and students were also interrogated, so that the entire matter could be investigated impartially. BSA acknowledged that the initial investigation had revealed several serious shortcomings.
Principal called the allegations a conspiracy
On the other hand, Principal Mamta Mishra termed the allegations against her as a conspiracy. He says that the whole matter was escalated on the pretext of not paying the fees. He also said that at the same time, there was a report of a girl fainting during vaccination in the school, due to which she was under mental stress. That’s why he spoke in a loud voice. However, he admitted that he should not have spoken like this.
ABVP workers protest, apologize on camera
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers also reached the school to protest against the incident. Student leaders protested strongly against the school administration and demanded action against fee hike and forced purchase of copy-books. Student leader Arpan Kushwaha said that the arbitrariness of private schools has been troubling parents for a long time and now strict action is necessary on this. Amidst huge protests and sloganeering, Principal Mamta Mishra had to apologize with folded hands in front of the camera. He said that he should not have shouted like that and he is ashamed of his mistake.
Instructions for trial, threat to recognition also
BSA Dr. Ajit Singh has instructed the City Block Education Officer to register a case in the matter. Also, the principal has been barred from coming to the school until the investigation is completed. The administration is now also starting the process of de-recognition of the school. According to BSA, if the investigation confirms violation of rules, then major action is being taken against the school.
Questions raised again on the arbitrariness of private schools
This incident has once again raised serious questions on the functioning of private schools. Parents allege that many schools force them to buy expensive books and copies from designated shops, which increases the financial burden. Hardoi administration has now talked about increasing the monitoring of private schools in the entire district. Also, it will also be investigated whether the schools have any nexus with local book stores. At present, the entry of the Principal of Sunbeam School has been banned and preparations are underway to take further major action based on the final report of the inquiry committee. This matter has now become not just a viral video, but a big test of the accountability of private schools.
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