“The allegations made by the family regarding difficulties in obtaining information must be investigated seriously. There must be a clear account of what happened from the moment the students left the school until the tragedy occurred. Who planned the trek? Who selected the location? Was the site assessed beforehand? Were the necessary permissions obtained? How many teachers accompanied the students? Was there adequate supervision? Were teachers trained to handle emergencies? Was a qualified guide present? How quickly was the emergency response initiated?
These are not unreasonable questions. They are basic questions that any parent would ask.”
The confrontation at Baina following the visit of the Principal and a teacher of Deep Vihar School to the home of the deceased Class XI student is a painful reflection of the anger and anguish surrounding the tragedy. When grieving parents refuse condolences and instead demand answers, the message is clear: they are not looking for sympathy alone. They want accountability.
The 16-year-old student allegedly died during a school trekking activity at a waterfall in Sattari. Nearly two days later, the school representatives visited the family, accompanied by police personnel. The timing and circumstances of the visit have understandably raised questions among the grieving family and local residents.
For parents who were desperately trying to find out what had happened to their child, the most painful part may not only be the loss itself but also the uncertainty surrounding the events leading to the death. When a child leaves home for a school activity, parents naturally assume that the school has taken every possible precaution for their child’s safety. That trust is fundamental.
When that trust is broken, condolences alone cannot repair it.
The allegations made by the family regarding difficulties in obtaining information must be investigated seriously. There must be a clear account of what happened from the moment the students left the school until the tragedy occurred. Who planned the trek? Who selected the location? Was the site assessed beforehand? Were the necessary permissions obtained? How many teachers accompanied the students? Was there adequate supervision? Were teachers trained to handle emergencies? Was a qualified guide present? How quickly was the emergency response initiated?
These are not unreasonable questions. They are basic questions that any parent would ask.
The government must therefore ensure that the proposed inquiry is comprehensive and independent. If the family seeks a committee headed by an appropriate authority to examine the roles of teachers, the headmistress, school management, tour operators and others involved, the government should consider the demand seriously.
At the same time, the investigation must remain fact-based. Nobody should be declared guilty before the inquiry establishes responsibility. But neither should institutional positions or reputations become a reason to dilute scrutiny.
The larger issue goes beyond one school.
School excursions, trekking programmes and educational tours have become an important part of modern education. Children need exposure beyond classrooms. They should be able to explore Goa’s forests, waterfalls, heritage sites and other natural attractions. But adventure cannot come at the cost of basic safety.
Goa has numerous waterfalls, trekking routes and natural areas that can become dangerous, particularly during the monsoon. A location that appears safe on one day can become hazardous within hours because of heavy rainfall, slippery rocks, rising water levels and strong currents.
Schools must therefore be required to conduct proper risk assessments before taking students to such locations. Permissions should be mandatory wherever applicable. Tour operators should be verified. Teacher-to-student ratios should be clearly prescribed. First aid, emergency transport and communication arrangements should be compulsory. Schools should also maintain a proper record of students participating in every activity.
Most importantly, there must be clear rules on who is responsible for children at every stage of an excursion.
The Education Department should not wait for another tragedy before reviewing existing safety guidelines. A statewide protocol for school excursions, trekking and adventure activities is urgently required. Private schools, government schools and tour operators should all come under the same basic safety framework.
There is also a need for transparency when an accident occurs. Parents should be informed immediately and accurately. In a crisis involving a child, every minute matters. Communication cannot be delayed or left to confusion.
The Baina incident should not become another controversy that fades from public memory after a few weeks. A young life has been lost. No inquiry can bring the child back to his parents, but a serious investigation can determine what went wrong and prevent another family from experiencing the same pain.
A school trip is supposed to create memories of learning, friendship and discovery. For one family, it has instead become an unbearable loss.
The government must ensure that the question of responsibility is answered and that Goa’s children are never again placed in danger because basic safety precautions were overlooked.
