Koraput: Following an inquiry conducted by the district welfare officer (DWO) for alleged negligence after a Class X student of a govt-run residential school delivered a baby on Monday night, the Malkangiri administration on Wednesday removed matron Suchitra Charchi from her job and suspended headmaster Ajit Kumar Madkami and auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) Kabita Kumari Patra.
“During investigation, gross negligence of duty was found on the part of hostel and school authorities, prompting disciplinary action,” said Srinibas Achary, DWO.
“The girl and her baby are admitted in Chitrakonda hospital and they might be shifted to SLN Medical College and Hospital in Koraput as it was a premature delivery and the child has few complications,” he added.
The inquiry uncovered serious lapses in supervision, with neither the ANM nor the matron noticing the student’s condition. The 16-year-old student gave birth on the hostel terrace, just hours after appearing for her English paper of the High School Certificate (HSC) examination.
Police have arrested the man accused of impregnating the minor girl and produced him in court on Wednesday. “The accused is a 22-year-old man from the same village as the girl,” said inspector Mukund Meleka.
“Strict guidelines have been issued to all the residential schools in the district for regular health check-up of the students by the ANM and the officials concerned have been urged to ensure regular monitoring,” said Achary.