Girls 'Forced To Do Squats' In School, Odisha Govt Orders Probe

The Odisha School and Mass Education (S&ME) Minister on Monday directed a probe into allegations of punishment to some girl students in Bolangir district.

Education Minister Sameer Dash informed reporters that Patnagarh Community Education Officer Shankar Prasad Majhi has been directed to carry out probe into the case of punishment to some girl students at Bapuji High School in Patnagarh area of Bolangir.

Earlier today, as many as seven girl students of the school were taken ill after they were reportedly made to do sit-ups as punishment for allegedly reaching late to school for the prayer session.

All of them reportedly fell unconscious following the incident and were immediately admitted to the hospital for treatment.

"The girls were not in good condition when they were brought to the hospital but after preliminary treatment, their health is stable," said Pitabash Sha, Patnagarh Sub-Divisional Medical Officer.

Patnagarh Community Education Officer Shankar Prasad Majhi said that schools have been declared punishment-free as per the guidelines of the State government.

"So if any teacher or school staff is found pushing the students to do the squats as a mark of punishment, necessary action will be taken as per the law, said Majhi.