The Gujarat education department on Tuesday took stern action against Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) School in Khokhra, dismissing its principal, administrative head, and other staff after an inquiry found gross negligence in last week’s fatal campus stabbing.
The City District Education Officer (DEO) held the school accountable for failing to act swiftly or report the incident. A Class 8 student had fatally stabbed a Class 10 student inside the campus, and witnesses alleged that teachers and security staff did not immediately help the injured boy—students themselves carried him to a hospital where he later died. The school has denied this claim, saying teachers accompanied him.In its order, the DEO accused the school of indifference, ignoring repeated notices, and failing to prevent frequent student fights on campus. The letter cited the city crime branch’s findings of serious lapses by school authorities.
A case has already been registered against the principal, a security guard, and a ministry official.“Given the circumstances, the Principal, Administrative Head, and other responsible staff are dismissed from their posts,” the DEO’s letter stated.Meanwhile, panic among parents has grown. By Tuesday, at least 70 parents had sought transfer certificates (LCs) to move their children to other schools. The DEO has deputed four officials to the SDA campus and instructed nearby schools to grant provisional admissions even if LCs are pending.