Class 9 girl delivers baby in Karnataka school washroom; principal, hostel warden suspended

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A Class 9 student delivered a baby boy inside the washroom of a government residential school in Karnataka’s Yadgir district. Both the girl and the newborn are reported to be in stable condition and are receiving treatment at the Shahapur Government Hospital.

The incident happened on Wednesday afternoon, but it was revealed only on Thursday. Karnataka Educational Institutions Society executive director Kantharaju suspended the school principal, hostel warden, science teacher and physical teacher on charges of dereliction of duty.

According to district police, the 17-year-old girl delivered the baby after completing the full term, and none of the staffers noticed any behavioural changes in the student.

Shashidhar Kosambe, a member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights said that the officials and school staff did not report the case to the Commission, and the Commission only learned about it from other sources.

He added that a suo motu (self-initiated) complaint will be filed against the school principal and staff for failing to inform authorities. Kosambe has also directed the district child protection officer to prepare a detailed report and file a case.

“The condition of both the girl and the baby is good. But what is shocking is that the school authorities and officials did not inform us about the delivery. Such incidents must be reported immediately. There seems to be negligence on the part of the school and local health officials,” DC quoted Kosambe as saying.

Meanwhile, school principal Basamma said she had no idea about the girl’s pregnancy. According to her, the student had joined classes only on August 5 and had been absent for many days, saying she had headaches or other health problems. “I joined as principal only last month. The birth certificate shows her age as 17 years and 8 months. We were all surprised when she gave birth. We had contacted her parents several times, but they are not willing to talk about it,” Basamma said.

According to rules, a staff nurse should conduct monthly health and menstrual checks on girl students of the hostel and make note of any health issues or behavioural changes in them. "No such efforts were made in the school to curb this incident. We are really wondering why school staff members didn't bother about the girl's condition until she gave birth in the restroom," Yadgiri Deputy Commissioner Harshal Bhoyar was quoted by TOI as saying.

According to Kosambe, such cases are becoming frequent in the state. “It is very unfortunate. I have asked DCP Yadgiri to visit the spot and file a case. And have also asked the DCP to file a comprehensive report by this evening to the commission. The local health officials should have checked upon the girl every month. However, it looks like there have been lapses on their part. And we have also requested to initiate action against those officials responsible for it,” Kosambe was quoted by India Today as saying.