Parents mount ‘quit’ pressure on Modern School principal

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights swung into action on Friday to order an inquiry into the death of Aakriti Bhatia, 18-year-old Class XII student of Modern School, Vasant Vihar, as the face-off between parents and school authorities continued unabated. Aakriti  died of an asthmatic attack in school on Monday morning, prompting parents and students to protest outside the school demanding principal Goldie Malhotra’s removal.

The principal is accused of negligence for not rushing the child to hospital after she complained of severe breathing difficulties.

“The school should be held responsible. An inquiry will be ordered into Aakriti’s unfortunate death,” said Union minister for women and child development Renuka Choudhary, who even met Aakriti’s parents. The NCPCR has issued a notice to the Delhi government for a report within seven days.

Aakriti’s mother Vani Bhatia said, “Why did the police not file a formal FIR? The police are not making any inquiries on the matter."

School authorities are unable to handle the outpouring of rage from parents and students alike. With students refusing to attend classes till the principal is removed, the school has shut down till Monday. There have been protests outside the school for two days and on Friday Aakriti’s classmates took out a peace march from her residence.

The controversy over who should be held responsible involves two aspects — the callous attitude of the school authorities who did not respond with urgency  and the lack of medical facilities there.

Delhi education department guidelines say every school must have a doctor on the premises. The doctor at Modern School’s Vasant Vihar branch quit two months ago but no successor was appointed. The nurse present at the medical room that fateful morning was not equipped to handle Aakriti’s case. A student said, “The school only has two beds, a nurse’s table, a weighing machine and a cupboard with some syrups. Whenever we get sick, we’re told to drink lemon soda.” According to Dr Jyoti Gaiekwad of Sir Gangaram Hospital in case of an asthma attack it is important to give, “nebulisation with a broncho-dialator like asthlin or duolin.”

“A school should have basic facilities to sustain a child until he or she can be taken to a hospital,” says Usha Ram (former head of private schools association). In Aakriti’s case, the nurse gave her oxygen but it was simply not enough.
Many parents who are demonstrating with Aakriti’s parents are worried fear a backlash against their children. Akshay Handa, a parent, said, “She recognises all of us and will definitely trouble our kids.”

Deepak Aggarwal, another parent, added, “We will try and make sure that Goldie is forced to step down. If she says on, she might trouble those fighting Aakriti’s cause.”