Sixth-grader locked inside classroom

RAWALPINDI: A sixth-grade student was found locked inside a classroom after school hours at Government Girls Middle School in Gujar Khan, prompting protests by her family and local residents and an official inquiry by the district education authorities.

According to the reported details, the school had already been closed and the teachers as well as the watchman had left when the student remained inside the classroom. The child was either inadvertently locked in or confined inside the room after the school day ended.

When the girl did not return home, her parents started searching for her. After they raised alarm, the child’s cries were heard from inside the school premises. The school was then opened on an emergency basis after the watchman was called back, and the student was recovered from the classroom.

She was described as extremely frightened, shaken and drenched in sweat. Her parents later took her home.

Inquiry ordered after protests

Following strong protests by the parents and local residents, District Education Authority Rawalpindi Chief Executive Officer Yasin Baloch took notice of the incident. The school watchman, Wajid Hussain, was suspended, and an inquiry was ordered under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act.

The CEO directed the District Education Officer of the Women Wing to immediately conduct an inquiry and submit a report. The relevant female education officer was also instructed to proceed against the employee under the rules and to ensure steps are taken to prevent such incidents in future.

Authorities have been told to submit the inquiry report to the District Education Authority office at the earliest.

Questions raised over school oversight

The incident has caused concern among parents and teachers, with questions being raised about how the student was left alone in the school and why she did not leave with her classmates after school hours.

According to the school administration, the incident occurred because of the watchman’s negligence, as he failed to properly check and monitor the premises before locking the school. The administration said he did not fulfill his responsibilities, creating what it described as a potentially serious risk to the student’s safety.

The case has drawn attention to school safety and supervision procedures, particularly at closing time, after a student remained trapped inside the premises until her parents’ search led to her recovery.