A teacher at a government school under Kantamal block in Boudh district was suspended for allegedly showing objectionable behaviour towards a Dalit student and his parents.
Based on a probe report, the District Education Officer placed the teacher under suspension on Monday.
According to reports, Anasuya Devi, the Sanskrit teacher of Sadar High School at Jogindrapur panchayat in Kantamal area, threw food items cooked for a feast on the occasion of Saraswati Puja on February 14 at the school as a Dalit student had touched the food containers.
This incident sparked tension among students as well as teachers at the school. Opposing such behaviour by the teacher, the student’s parents lodged a complaint. The headmaster of the school intervened in the matter for the solution, but the accused teacher misbehaved with the guardian.
The father of the student brought the matter to the notice of the Ambedkar Dalit Samaj Vikas Parishad; and with its support, he approached police seeking justice.
Besides, District Pana-Ganda Vikas Parishad secretary Sudhansu Danga drew the attention of the District Education Officer in this regard.
Following the allegations, District Education Officer (DEO) Gendera Kujur directed the Additional DEO Ghanashyam Meher and Kantamal Block Education Officer Sanoj Sethy for an impartial investigation into the incident.
Based on the investigation report by the officials, the DEO took action against the erring Sanskrit teacher for her act.
