SRINAGAR: The Chief Education Officer (CEO), Ramban, has suspended the entire staff of Government Middle School, Krawah, Zone Banihal, after a student was reportedly found locked inside the school premises for several hours, prompting the authorities to order a high-level inquiry into the incident.
According to an official order issued by the CEO, the incident took place on July 4, 2026, when the student was reportedly discovered locked inside the school building at around 8 pm, several hours after the school had closed and before the commencement of the summer vacation.
The order states that the incident prima facie reflects gross negligence and dereliction of duty on the part of the officials responsible for the safety and supervision of students. It further notes that the alleged lapse had the potential to jeopardise the child’s life and safety.
Pending the outcome of the inquiry, all employees of Government Middle School, Krawah, have been placed under suspension with immediate effect under Rule 31 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956. During the suspension period, the employees will remain attached to the same school until further orders.
A three-member inquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the incident. The panel comprises the Principal of HSS Girls Banihal as Chairperson, the Zonal Education Officer, Banihal, and the Headmaster of High School Bankoot.
The committee has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident, identifying responsibility for the alleged lapse, and submitting a detailed report along with its recommendations to the CEO’s office within three days.
The order states that the action has been taken to ensure accountability and strengthen student safety in educational institutions across the district.
Meanwhile, five teachers, the Head of the Institution (HoI), two NYCs and one Physical Education Teacher (PET) have been posted to Government Middle School, Krawah.
