Bihar Teacher Takes Students To Temples For Oath After Rs 35 Theft

The education department in Bihar's Banka district took decisive action against a government primary school teacher, stirring controversy and public outrage. The reason? Allegations that she took an unconventional approach to resolve the mystery of a missing Rs 35 from her purse, involved all 122 students in a nearby temple.

The Allegations

The controversy erupted at Asmanichak village in Banka's Rajaun block when schoolteacher Neetu Kumari, with 18 years of teaching experience at the school, discovered Rs 35 missing from her purse. Unable to identify the culprit among the students, she took an unconventional approach. Neetu Kumari gathered all 122 students at a nearby temple, instructing them to swear by the deities regarding the alleged theft.

The villagers, upon learning about the incident, reacted strongly, expressing their dissatisfaction with the teacher's actions. They objected vehemently to the unconventional resolution and disrupted the school environment, demanding punitive measures against Neetu Kumari. The incident, they argued, tarnished the sanctity of the school as a temple of learning.

Education Department's Response & Teacher's Defense

Authorities ordered the transfer of Neetu Kumari to alleviate the tensions and ensure the school's normal functioning. Kumar Pankaj, the block education officer, condemned the teacher's actions, stating it was improper to subject students to such suspicion and oath-taking.

Neetu Kumari, in her defense, maintained that she only inquired about her missing money and denied harboring doubts about any student. She claimed that the students, of their own accord, rushed to the nearby temple and took an oath before the deities. Despite her denial, the incident has left her shocked and shattered, especially with the intrusion of villagers into the school premises.

Amid the ongoing tension, local mukhiya Anupam Kumari emphasized the need for a resolution. A meeting involving teachers and parents has been called to address the community's concerns and prevent similar incidents in the future. The focus is on restoring normalcy and rebuilding trust between the school and the local community.