Ahmedabad: Following the brutal stabbing of a Class 10 student at Seventh Day School in Khokhra by a fellow student, the District Education Officer (DEO) had issued a notice to the school. The school challenged this notice in the Gujarat High Court. During the hearing today, the court directed the school to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

The High Court observed that the institution should admit 10% of its students each year at a nominal fee, in line with the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. The court noted that nearly 1,000 students could benefit from this initiative. It emphasized that the measure is not merely punitive but aimed at ensuring society learns from the tragic incident in a lasting way. The court described the student’s murder as an eye-opener and stressed the need for systemic reforms to prevent such tragedies.

The High Court also expressed serious concerns about the school’s security arrangements. It clarified that the responsibility for ensuring safety, including the installation and monitoring of CCTV cameras, lies entirely with the school. Additionally, the court directed the DEO and the Education Commissioner to provide full support to the school in strengthening safeguards, noting that the objective is to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The bench further expressed deep sympathy for the bereaved family, assuring them that “all sympathies are with you.” It also proposed forming a committee to incorporate suggestions from the deceased student’s parents into future reforms.

The court underlined that the matter should not be limited to legal proceedings and punishment but must serve as an opportunity to improve educational and societal systems. The ultimate goal, it noted, should be creating a safer and more inclusive environment for all.

The next hearing is scheduled for September 24. DeshGujarat