Itanagar: The Education Department of Arunachal Pradesh has suspended the headmistress and hostel warden of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), Nangnyo, over allegations of mismanagement and indiscipline.
The suspension was announced following a protest march by nearly 90 girl students from the school.
In an order issued by Education Commissioner Amjad Tak, headmistress Nyayir Riba and warden Tummi Chisi were placed under suspension until further notice.
On September 14, around 90 girl students from the school, without obtaining prior consent from the competent authority, marched towards Pakke Kessang district HQs, Lemmi, covering a distance of 65 kilometres, to highlight the acute shortage of teachers in the school. The students reached Lemmi on September 15 in the morning.
The Deputy Director of School Education later arranged vehicles to transport them back to the hostel.
The march was sparked by the prolonged absence of Geography and Political Science teachers, despite repeated appeals to the school authorities.
Videos of the protest quickly went viral on social media, drawing attention to the plight of the girls—many from disadvantaged and remote tribal communities—and raising concerns about their safety during the protest march.
The commissioner, taking strong exception to the incident, said it was the responsibility of the school head to raise such grievances with higher authorities through proper channels. “Failure to do so has resulted in grave mismanagement and indiscipline,” the order stated.
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Officials said the incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of girl students under the institution’s care.
The KGBV, established in 2011–12 and managed by the Sei Donyi Charitable Trust, caters to over 90 female students with a staff of 13 teachers, besides the headmistress and warden.
