The State Government has directed all Divisional Joint Directors of School Education Department and District Education Officers to strictly curb ragging in schools. Describing ragging as the most ‘indecent act’, the officers have been directed to continuously monitor it at every level. Directives have been given to ensure strict action as per existing provisions against the guilty students if an incident of ragging comes to light in any school.
Referring to earlier directives issued by the government to curb ragging in schools, it has been desired to curb such activity with due responsibility. For this, directives have been given to form a school disciplinary committee at school level headed by concerning principal with 2 senior lecturers/teachers and 2 leading students as members. The committee will monitor ragging in and outside the school.
The divisional anti-ragging cell will comprise principals of Excellence School and higher secondary school and development block education officer. One member will be nominated as chairperson of the cell on seniority basis. District Education Officer will constitute anti-ragging cell in every development block.
Principals have been asked to instruct and warn students against ragging in strong words during prayer meeting. Directives to curb ragging should be displayed on a notice board outside the school. If complaints are received about misbehaviour in the name of ragging, the principal must immediately inform accused/guilty students’ parents and ensure strict disciplinary action.
The punishment for ragging in proportion to misbehaviour done by guilty students that may be given in consultation with parent-teacher association includes rustication for prescribed days, individual or collective fine and in the case of serious incident, permanent rustication from the school. Action to curb ragging and violent incidents in schools should be taken in accordance with recommendations of Central Board of Secondary Education.