SHIVAMOGGA: A Kannada-language teacher from Government Urdu School in Shivamogga city has been transferred for admonishing a few unruly children with an alleged remark - "go to Pakistan" - last week.
Manjula Devi, from a village near Shivamogga, is now facing a department inquiry after some parents complained to the headmaster against her.
Shivamogga block education officer P Nagaraj told TOI the teacher has been transferred and a probe ordered based on the children's statement. The Urdu school in the city's Tipu Nagar has 60 students, and 47-year-old Manjula has been teaching Kannada for 10 years with a blemish-free record.
Teacher denied allegations, says officer Education officers refused to disclose her new posting details.
The alleged incident took place on August 30 while she was teaching students of class 6. Alleged unruly behaviour of a few students irked her. Brandishing a cane, she reprimanded them, saying if they don't stay disciplined in the classroom and are not inclined to learn, she allegedly told them to "go to Pakistan", the BEO stated.
"When I questioned the teacher about the complaint, she denied the entire episode. The school headmaster, too, denied receiving complaints either from students or parents," he said, adding he ordered an inquiry since the issue is sensitive.
A new Kannada teacher will take charge on Monday. District deputy director of public instruction Parameshwara CR said the allegations were made by 3-4 children and their parents. "The teacher has denied the allegations. Other teachers are also unaware of the incident. After the issue was flagged, I sent the BEO for inspection. The teacher facing the heat has had a good reputation all these years," he told TOI.
Nazarullah, president of Shivamogga city JD(S) minority wing, said the remark made by the teacher is in bad taste and demanded her suspension. "We wanted to register an FIR, but left it to the education department," he said.
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