The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a stern show-cause notice to Neerja Modi School in Jaipur following the tragic suicide of a nine-year-old Class 4 student on November 1. The notice, accessed by India Today, highlights severe lapses in safety, supervision, and anti-bullying mechanisms, revealing that repeated warnings over 18 months were ignored.
CBSE Findings: Serious Safety and Supervision Lapses
A CBSE two-member inspection committee visited the school on November 3 and found alarming deficiencies:
- The student, studying on the ground floor, reached the fourth floor unnoticed.
- Students were not wearing ID cards, delaying identification.
- The area of the fall was cleaned, complicating forensic analysis.
- The school lacked a mandatory safety and security committee.
- CCTV footage was not actively monitored, despite over 5,000 students being enrolled.
- Higher floors lacked secure railings and safety nets.
- Teachers, staff, and housekeeping personnel were not wearing ID cards as per NCPCR and POCSO guidelines.
- Counsellors were not engaged even when children displayed distress.
18 Months of Ignored Bullying Complaints
The child’s parents told CBSE that the student faced repeated bullying over the past 18 months, including name-calling, derogatory remarks, and physical harassment. Despite multiple complaints:
- Teachers reportedly told the child to “adjust with other kids.”
- Audio clips, messages, and evidence of distress sent in July 2024 and October 2025 went largely unaddressed.
- The Anti-Bullying Committee failed to intervene.
- The child pleaded with her mother not to attend school, saying, “Mumma, I don’t want to go to school. Everyone troubles me. Please get me out of here.”
Tragic Events on November 1
According to CCTV footage and teacher statements:
- The student arrived at school cheerful, interacting with friends and enjoying snacks.
- Around 11 am, a group of boys wrote something upsetting on a digital slate, leaving the child “puzzled” and “embarrassed.”
- She approached her teacher five times within 45 minutes for help, but the teacher reportedly shouted instead of intervening.
- The child skipped lunch and appeared visibly distressed before leaving the classroom area.
A Wake-Up Call for Schools Across India
The incident has sparked outrage across Jaipur and raises urgent questions about student safety, bullying policies, and mental health support in schools. CBSE’s notice highlights systemic failures that may have contributed to the tragedy, emphasizing the need for robust anti-bullying mechanisms, active supervision, and timely counselling.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 data, 13,892 students died by suicide last year, representing 8.1% of all suicide deaths in India—a stark reminder of the critical importance of school mental health frameworks.
