The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has asked for a detailed report from the Council of Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) Board over the reported rape of a six-year-old student at the Vibgyor High School in Bangalore.
The incident has drawn nationwide anger and the Karnataka government has also made a plea to the Union government to cancel the school's affiliation to the CISCE syllabus.
"CISCE has been requested to look into the matter and furnish a detailed report including action taken, to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, immediately,'' the Union government stated on Tuesday.
The ministry has expressed a deep concern about the incident. The ministry stressed that the safety and security of children in any school system is a priority.
The government pointed out that it is deeply disturbing that such an incident has happened in the country. The ministry also noted reports on similar sexual assaults on children in some other schools affiliated to CISCE.
This ministry has circulated detailed guidelines under Section 35(1) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act on 26 March. The Act and other rules clearly states the role of the school in ensuring the safety and security of children, they added.
The ministry also highlighted schools' responsibility to implement the required measures for the safety and security of children within the school premises.
The CISCE Board has been instructed to immediately look into the matter and furnish the HRD ministry a detailed report including action taken so far over the incident. The ministry also pointed out to CISCE that the state government of Karnataka has recommended the cancellation of CISCE affiliation granted to Vibgyor High School.
