📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Anupam Shrivastava
Education
Children forced to clean school roof in Shahdol village sparks outrage, probe ordered
✍️ Amar Ujala · Madhya Pradesh
🗓 04 Sep 2026, 03:02 PM
👁 2
A video showing pupils cleaning the roof of a government primary school in Gortara village, Shahdol during rain has gone viral, prompting public anger and an official inquiry.
A short clip circulating on social media depicts children at a government primary school in Gortara village, Shahdol district, being made to sweep the school roof while it rains. The footage, captured by an unknown source, shows the youngsters in school uniforms handling wet debris under a dripping canopy.
The video quickly attracted widespread criticism on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, with users condemning the practice as unsafe and inappropriate for young learners. Local residents and education activists demanded immediate action, arguing that the incident reflects neglect of child welfare standards in schools.
In response, the Shahdol district education authorities announced that a formal investigation has been launched. An order has been issued to the school principal and the block education officer to submit a detailed report on the incident and the procedures that led to the children’s involvement. The inquiry will assess compliance with state guidelines on student safety and may result in disciplinary measures.
State officials have also urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified content while the probe is underway, emphasizing the need for factual reporting. The incident has reignited a broader debate on the conditions of rural schools in Madhya Pradesh and the safeguards in place for students during extracurricular tasks.
The education department has promised to update the community on the findings once the investigation concludes, underscoring its commitment to ensuring that schools provide a safe learning environment.
The video quickly attracted widespread criticism on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, with users condemning the practice as unsafe and inappropriate for young learners. Local residents and education activists demanded immediate action, arguing that the incident reflects neglect of child welfare standards in schools.
In response, the Shahdol district education authorities announced that a formal investigation has been launched. An order has been issued to the school principal and the block education officer to submit a detailed report on the incident and the procedures that led to the children’s involvement. The inquiry will assess compliance with state guidelines on student safety and may result in disciplinary measures.
State officials have also urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified content while the probe is underway, emphasizing the need for factual reporting. The incident has reignited a broader debate on the conditions of rural schools in Madhya Pradesh and the safeguards in place for students during extracurricular tasks.
The education department has promised to update the community on the findings once the investigation concludes, underscoring its commitment to ensuring that schools provide a safe learning environment.