Class 5 student dies after collapsing in classroom, negligence of school authorities alleged

BENGALURU: A Class 5 student of a private school on Bannerghatta Road died after collapsing in a classroom during lunch break, allegedly due to the negligence of the school authorities in shifting him to a hospital, on June 10.

Arhan Pasha (12), was studying in Class 5 at a private school at Weavers’ Colony on Bannerghatta Road. Initially, the family initially remained quiet thinking that the child had died of natural causes. Two days ago, when they checked the school’s CCTV footage, the incident came to light.

The boy who collapsed in the classroom was shifted to another room and the school staff wasted hours at the school itself. The school didn’t even provide the school vehicle to take him to the hospital. The parents had to carry the child’s body on a two-wheeler from the school.

Around 1 pm on July 10, the boy collapsed in the classroom. Prior to that, Arhan had told the teacher that he was feeling tired. It is alleged that the teacher brushed it off saying that nothing would happen to him and that the school send a vehicle for just one person. The boy collapsed on the bench after coming and sitting in the classroom.

The school staff were allegedly negligent in immediately taking him to the hospital. They kept the child in the school classroom for 45 minutes. Small children can be seen on CCTV pressing the boy’s chest. After 45 minutes, staff called the child’s family and informed them.

The boys’ family members immediately rushed to the school. After the parents arrived, the boy was sent with them on their own bike. But by then, Arhan Pasha had already died at the hospital. A case of unnatural death has been registered at Konankunte police station regarding the incident. It is alleged that the school management filed an FIR against the parents claiming they came with a knife and threatened.

Child collapsed in school classroom – 1:12 pm

Child shifted to another room – 1:20 pm

Staff brought the child to another room – 1:20 pm

Boy’s parents arrived at school – 1:39 pm

Child sent to hospital on bike- 1:40 pm

A relative of the boy said, “The child was fine, he hadn’t gone to school for two days and went to school on July 10. Around 12 pm, he told the teacher he had chest pain and was feeling tired. The teacher scolded him and told him to write. While the child was writing and sitting, he collapsed on the desk itself. Instead of immediately shifting him to the hospital, the teacher and small children pressed his chest and kept him there. They carried him from one room to another, which is recorded on CCTV”.

“They called us after about 30 to 35 minutes. When we went and saw, the child was unconscious. We immediately took the child to the hospital on our own bike. The doctor said if we had brought him a little earlier, they could have tried to save him. Out of basic courtesy too, the school management did not try to take the child to the hospital and showed negligence. Action should be taken against those who caused my son’s death by not taking him to the hospital during the golden hour”, he said.

Bengaluru South Division Block Education Officer Ramamurthy said, “Notice has already been issued to the school where the incident occurred and further action will be taken after their response. I have already held a meeting with all school managements. First aid should be given when children have health issues. The school is responsible for children from the time they come in the morning until they leave in the evening. If a child’s health deteriorates, they should be immediately taken to the nearest hospital. The management should not wait until parents arrive. I will issue this in writing to all schools.”

Arhan Pasha’s grandfather Wazir Ahmed said, “”He went to school at 9 am on that day. He wanted to become a doctor, but he died. He had said earlier that he was feeling dizzy. They scolded him saying they can’t clearly arrange a vehicle to send him and made him sit saying they will send him in the afternoon. The school people themselves killed my grandson. Now they are calling for a settlement. Even if they give me crores, I want my child”.

“My grandchild had no illness.. They are lying saying my child had low BP. We have been going around for one month. No one is giving us justice, police didn’t take the complaint. They say they are waiting for the postmortem report. We want justice”, he added.

Arhan Pasha’s father Waseem Pasha said, “That day, the child went to school as usual. At 11 am on that day the child said he was tired. The teacher told him to sit and go during lunch break in the afternoon. Around 1:30 they called and said the child had fainted and fallen. I was working in Bannerghatta.. my brother went to the school and took him to the hospital. When we went to the hospital, they said the child had already died. They were very negligent and that’s why the child died. When we asked for justice, they filed an FIR saying we created a scene near the school. The school side is pressuring us to compromise”.

Mother Heena Kouskar said, “I have only one son. My child ate breakfast and happily said bye-bye to everyone and went. Then something happened, but the school people did not take him to the hospital. They themselves acted as if they were giving treatment. There are 13 people in the school, no one took him. The school authorities are responsible for my child’s death. They don’t have even a little compassion. Give us justice”.