(Representational image) (Representational image)

Two teachers of Government Middle School in Kundal village, Fazilka, were issued transfer orders after six Class VI students alleged that they were forced to strip in front of their senior girl students (of Classes VII and VIII) after a sanitary napkin was found in the school’s toilet.

The two teachers are Jyoti, the class teacher and Kuldeep Kaur, in-charge of the school. Jyoti has been transferred to a school in Khui Khera village and Kaur to Balluana in the same district. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh also ordered an inquiry into the matter that needs to be completed by Monday in order to initiate further disciplinary action against the teachers.

The alleged incident happened on October 31. The six girls alleged that when a sanitary napkin was found in the school’s toilet, the class teacher wanted to find out who had thrown it there without disposing of it in a bin. As per their complaint, she decided to take them to a vacant classroom, where she called some students of Classes VII and and VIII.

Abohar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Poonam Singh said, “The six girl students said they were asked to strip in front of their senior girl students and class teacher to find out who was using sanitary napkin that day. The girls’ complaint came to me following which I constituted an inquiry which is being done by two principals of Government Senior Secondary Schools and as per the preliminary report of their inquiry, both teachers have been transferred. The final inquiry report will be submitted on Monday after taking the statement of the teachers. We have already taken statements of girl students and they will not be called again.”

Meanwhile, the girl students have also alleged that the class teacher had made derogatory remarks, too.

However, Kuldeep Kaur told mediapersons that she was “unaware” of the incident. Parents of the girls alleged that as they did not get a satisfactory response from the school authorities, they decided to approach the SDM. Class teacher Jyoti has gone on leave.

Kulwant Singh, district education officer, said, “We are conducting inquiry into the allegations of the students. After a preliminary inquiry, the two teachers were transferred on administrative grounds.”

According to the official spokesperson of the CM, further disciplinary action, as per conduct rules, will be taken once a formal report is received after completing the inquiry. He directed Education secretary Krishan Kumar to complete the investigation into the incident by Monday and update him on the final inquiry report.

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.