Odisha KGBV: The Odisha government has suspended the headmistress of a residential girls’ school in Mayurbhanj district after a Class 10 student gave birth to a baby boy. The incident has raised serious questions about the safety and health checks provided to girls living in government hostels.
The incident took place at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) in Dhanpur under Betnoti block. The student was reportedly around seven months pregnant when she was taken to Pandit Raghunath Murmu (PRM) Medical College and Hospital in Baripada. She delivered a baby boy on Wednesday morning. However, officials later confirmed that the newborn died on Thursday night.
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Following the incident, the in-charge headmistress Namita Majhi was suspended over alleged negligence in her duties. The action has also brought attention to how the student’s pregnancy reportedly remained unnoticed while she was staying at the school hostel.
The suspension order was issued by Betnoti Block Education Officer (BEO) Biplab Kar following instructions from District Education Officer Purnachandra Sethi. The administration took action under Rule 12 of the Odisha Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1962.
Majhi has been suspended with immediate effect until further orders. During this period, she’ll have to report to G.K. Government Upper Primary School in Saria. She’ll also receive 50% of her salary as a subsistence allowance along with other benefits allowed under service rules.
The BEO has made temporary arrangements for running the school and hostel. Senior Assistant Teacher Subodh Chandra Singh will look after the school and the Mid-Day Meal scheme. Another teacher, Swagatika Rout, will manage the KGBV hostel and the 100-seat SC/ST girls’ hostel until a regular headmaster takes charge.
The incident has led to strong criticism from the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD). A party delegation visited the school and spoke with the headmistress to understand how the student’s pregnancy went unnoticed for several months.
The party questioned how regular health check-ups failed to identify the pregnancy. It also pointed out that hostel staff reportedly collect menstrual hygiene pads from students every month. The BJD demanded immediate government action and warned of a democratic protest if the authorities failed to provide justice.
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Mayurbhanj Zilla Parishad chairperson Bharati Hansdah also criticised the school’s handling of the matter. She said, “How could the school authorities remain unaware that a student had been pregnant for nearly seven months? This is astonishing,”.
Hansdah raised concerns about the safety and care provided to girls in residential schools. She also expressed worry over allegations that the newborn hadn’t received proper medical attention, care and nutrition.
The BJD has demanded a judicial inquiry to find out how the student became pregnant and identify those responsible for any violation of her rights. It has also asked the government to provide medical treatment, counselling, protection and rehabilitation support to the girl.
The delegation included Hansdah, former MLA Ganeshwar Patra, Betnoti block president Rajiv Senapati and Zilla Parishad member Biswanath Hembram.
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