UKG student dies after alleged assault by teacher at Visakhapatnam school

Investigation Launched After Child's Death

Authorities in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh have launched an investigation after a six-year-old student died following an alleged assault by a teacher in a classroom in Visakhapatnam. The incident, captured on security camera footage, has prompted anger among parents and renewed debate over corporal punishment in Indian schools.

The child, identified by local media as Pranay Tej, was an Upper Kindergarten (UKG) student at Little Garden School, where the incident occurred on Thursday under the One Town police station limits. CCTV footage shows a female teacher holding the child by his clothes before slapping him on the face, after which he collapses, as reported by Al Jazeera and The Nation. The Hindu — World further reported that the footage showed the teacher scolding the student over his behavior and attempting to strip him before the slap.

Official Response and Investigation

Andhra Pradesh's Education and IT Minister, Nara Lokesh, expressed deep anguish over the incident, condemning the assault and promising swift legal action. In a statement on X, he said, "The tragic death of six-year-old Pranay Tej due to a teacher's assault at Little Garden School in Visakhapatnam is deeply shocking. Strict legal action is being taken against those responsible and the school management. The government will stand by the family."

Earlier, Lokesh wrote on Facebook that legal action was being taken against those responsible and the school management. In a subsequent post on X, he added, "As a father, I can't get over what happened to little Pranay Tej. Corporal punishment has no place in our schools... I have already directed a full investigation and strict action against anyone found responsible."

Police Inspector Pudi Vara Prasad told the Press Trust of India that a case was registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Act following a written complaint from the boy's father. "Once all relevant reports are received, we will determine the exact cause of death," Prasad said, adding that an investigation was underway. The One Town police, in a statement to The Hindu — World, said, "We will investigate this case and proceed accordingly."

Police completed an inquest and post-mortem examination before releasing the body to the family, as reported by The Nation and Al Jazeera.

Protests and Committee

The incident sent shockwaves among parents and local communities, with residents and student bodies staging protests outside Little Garden School and KGH Hospital, where the post-mortem was held. Protesters held the school's management accountable and called for the immediate cancellation of the school's recognition, as well as tighter enforcement of laws against corporal punishment in private schools, according to The Hindu — World.

In response, the School Education Department constituted a three-member committee, comprising the Regional Joint Director (RJD), District Educational Officer (DEO), and Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), to conduct a comprehensive probe, an official release said. Palla Srinivasa Rao, Andhra Pradesh state president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), told the Press Trust of India that "the government has reacted appropriately."

Father's Account and Broader Context

The boy's father told Indian media that his son appeared healthy before leaving for school that morning and had insisted on attending classes. Relatives gathered at the hospital after his death, demanding strict action, as reported by Al Jazeera and The Nation.

The case has also reignited discussion about corporal punishment in India, where physical punishment in schools is prohibited but continues to be reported. A 2018 study by the Indian NGO Agrasar found that roughly 80 percent of low-income school children in India experience corporal punishment from teachers, despite it being officially illegal, as cited by Al Jazeera.

The police have yet to determine the exact cause of death, pending the receipt of all relevant reports. Further action is expected based on the findings of the investigation and the committee's probe.