NCPCR notice to Bihar over death of 2 school students due to extreme cold

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has issued notice to district magistrate collectorate, Muzaffarpur, over the death of at least two school children and reports on numerous illness due to reopening of schools during severe cold.

In a complaint dated January 26, All India Students Union (AISU) vice-president Sai Krishna requested an investigation into the adverse consequences resulting from the reopening of schools in Bihar during severe cold conditions.

“The Commission has received a complaint by Shri Sai Krishna in which he has stated that due to the reopening of schools in winter in Bihar, a student of Kaira Primary School, Lakhisarai died after falling ill during the morning assembly. During this the student started vomiting and died during treatment,” the NCPCR said in a letter.

It also asked to send the investigation report along with necessary documents to the commission within 10 days of receiving the letter.

At least two school children reportedly died after the Bihar State Education Department gave its nod to reopen schools during the severe cold.

In Lakhisarai, a Class 1 student of Kajra Primary School died after falling sick during the morning assembly. The student started vomiting during the morning prayer and passed away during treatment. In Muzaffarpur, a Class 6 student was reportedly dead after being sent back from school due to severe shivering.

Stating that “the decision to reopen schools in such conditions appears to violate established child rights and safety norms”, the complainant requested urgent intervention by NCPCR to assess the number of affected students and investigate the circumstances leading to these unfortunate incidents.