Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Directorate of Education (DoE) has issued a show-cause notice to Deepvihar High School, Sada, Mormugao, seeking an explanation within three days over alleged lapses in the organisation and supervision of a school picnic during which a 17-year-old student drowned.
The department has questioned the school’s safety arrangements, particularly the supervision of 301 students by only four teachers during the excursion. The incident has raised serious concerns over whether adequate safety measures and supervision were in place.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has stressed that the safety of students must be given the highest priority during school excursions. He has previously urged schools to consider safer and more educational destinations for picnics and cautioned against taking students to potentially hazardous locations.
The Education Directorate has asked the school management to identify the teachers entrusted by the headmaster or principal with organising and supervising the picnic and to state what action has been initiated against them.
The management has also been asked to explain why action should not be taken against the management committee for allegedly failing to properly organise and manage the excursion.
The notice further seeks clarification on why proceedings should not be initiated under Rules 43 and 56 of the Goa School Education Rules, 1986, and Section 20(2) and (3) of the Goa School Education Act, 1984.
The department has warned that disciplinary proceedings may be initiated if the school fails to submit a satisfactory explanation within the stipulated three-day period.
The action follows the death of the 17-year-old student, who drowned during the school picnic. The tragedy has triggered widespread concern over supervision standards and safety protocols followed during school excursions.
The Directorate’s notice indicates that the inquiry is not limited to individual responsibility and will also examine the role of the school management in planning, organising and supervising the excursion.
Deepvihar High School is a recognised aided school at Headland-Sada, Mormugao, and is among the educational institutions operated under the Mormugao Port Trust Education Society.
