VEHARI: A two-member committee looking into the murder of a Christian boy in the Burewala school has recommended departmental action against four teachers of the school, holding them responsible for the death of the student.

On Aug 30, Sheron Masih had died from fatal blows from class fellow Ahmed Raza in the classroom of the Government MC Model High School, Burewala.

The inquiry report negates police report that the cause of the dispute between the two students was a mobile phone. The education department inquiry committee states Raza had not allowed Sheron to leave the classroom.

The inquiry team, consisting of Bashir Ahmed (headmaster of the Islamia High School in Vehari and Muhammad Asim (deputy district officer), submitted the report to the district education office on Saturday.

The report recommended that action be taken against class teacher Nazir Mohal, headmaster Saleem Tahir and physical education teachers (PETs) Ramzan and Dildar Ahmed.

According to the report, the four teachers were guilty of showing poor school and classroom management, violating government rules and demonstrating least interest in their duty. The report added that class teacher Mohal’s absence from the classroom during the incident had been proved while both students -- deceased Sheron and suspect Raza -- were not enrolled on the day of the incident.

The four teachers have already been suspended from service after the incident. The inquiry committee recommended compulsory retirement of class teacher Nazir Mohal under the the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act, 2006. Headmaster Saleem Tahir faces forfeiture of one-year service whereas PETs Ramzan and Dildar face forfeiture of one-year increment.

The report confirmed that Sheron was killed by the torture of Raza in the school. The inquiry team recorded the statements of teachers, students and family of both Sheron Masih and Raza.

Education Authority’s Chief Executive Officer Shaukat Ali Tahir told Dawn that show-cause notices had been issued to the four teachers and further action would be taken against them after one week as per the recommendation of the inquiry team.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2017