Amaravati, Nov 11: Concerns over student safety in government schools, residential schools and hostels in Andhra Pradesh are growing following a series of disturbing incidents. Recent cases involving attacks, sexual assault allegations and misconduct against minor girls have raised serious questions about the safety arrangements and supervision in government-run educational institutions under the TDP-led coalition government.
Parents send their children to government schools and residential hostels with the expectation that they will receive quality education in a safe environment. However, a series of incidents has raised concerns among parents, with questions being directed at the Education Department and Minister Nara Lokesh over the monitoring of these institutions.
Series of Incidents Raise Questions Over Girls’ Safety
Earlier, an incident in Rapthadu in Anantapur district created widespread concern after a schoolgirl was allegedly attacked with a saw on school premises. The incident triggered a debate over the safety of girl students in government schools.
In another disturbing case in Tuni, Kakinada district, former TDP councillor Thatika Narayana Rao allegedly introduced himself as the grandfather of an eighth-grade minor girl studying at a local Gurukul school. He reportedly took her out of the school on the pretext of medical treatment and sexually assaulted her. The incident caused widespread outrage.
Similarly, allegations emerged from a BC Welfare Girls’ Hostel in Jangumalli, Prakasam district, where the hostel cook allegedly took two minor girls to a private house in Ongole and behaved inappropriately with them.
These incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of minor girls in residential educational institutions and the effectiveness of staff supervision.
10 Class 8 Girls’ Hair Cut While Sleeping at Palnadu Gurukul School
In the latest incident, a disturbing case was reported from the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule BC Welfare Girls’ Gurukul School in Ramakrishnapuram village of Sattenapalli Rural Mandal in Palnadu district.
According to reports, unidentified persons allegedly entered the hostel premises during the night and cut the hair of 10 eighth-grade girl students while they were sleeping.
The students reportedly discovered that their hair had been cut when they woke up in the morning. The incident left them frightened and created panic on the school premises.
The incident has triggered anger among parents, who are questioning how such an incident could take place inside a residential school where students are expected to be protected.
Questions Over Hostel Security and Staff Supervision
Parents are raising questions about how unidentified individuals could enter the school premises at night without being noticed by security personnel or hostel staff.
They are also questioning the responsibilities of the hostel warden and other school employees. The incident has brought the night-time security arrangements, staff monitoring and overall safety measures at residential schools under scrutiny.
Parents want to know whether adequate security arrangements are in place to protect students, particularly minor girls, inside government-run hostels.
Police Launch Investigation
Following the incident, police reached the Gurukul school and began an investigation. They are examining school records and questioning students and staff members to gather details.
Investigators are reportedly examining whether outsiders entered the school premises or whether students from the same institution were involved in the incident.
Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
Government Faces Questions Over Girls’ Safety in Residential Schools
The repeated incidents in government schools and residential hostels have intensified concerns about student safety in Andhra Pradesh.
The latest incident in Palnadu has once again highlighted the need for stronger security arrangements, effective night-time monitoring, CCTV surveillance and accountability among hostel staff.
Parents expect the government to ensure that residential schools remain safe spaces for children. The Education Department must review security arrangements across government schools, Gurukul institutions and welfare hostels, particularly those accommodating minor girls.
With several incidents raising questions about the safety of students, attention is now on what steps the coalition government and Education Minister Nara Lokesh will take to strengthen security and prevent such incidents in the future.
