Headmistress suspended as student delivers baby in hostel

Berhampur: A Class X girl student delivered a baby in a residential school hostel in Kandhamal district following which its headmistress was suspended and two contractual teachers disengaged for alleged negligence, officials said today.

The Class X student of the school had delivered a baby in the hostel on Friday night, they said.

Following the incident, the Kandhamal district administration suspended headmistress of Lingagada Residential Girls High School Ashalata Pati and disengaged contractual teachers, Sasmita Parida and Namita Pradhan yesterday, they said.

An auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) S B Pradhan, responsible for the health care of the students, was also removed.

Kandhamal district Collector, N Thirumala Naik who visited the school on Saturday said, "How could the ANM and teachers not know about the health condition of the girl?.

This is nothing but negligence on the part of the school authorities."

Police said they had registered a case in connection with the incident based on a complaint lodged by Khajuripada block extension officer.