A disturbing incident has emerged from a government-run primary school in Jambulmatha, Jawhar, where several students fled into a nearby jungle after a teacher allegedly assaulted them for returning late from fetching water. The incident has sparked outrage among parents and prompted an official inquiry by the education department.
According to parents, Loknath Jadhav, the lone teacher at the Zilla Parishad school, sent a group of students to fetch water from a spring located nearly one to two kilometres away. When the students returned after a delay, Jadhav allegedly beat them severely. Terrified, several other students abandoned the school premises and ran into the surrounding forest out of fear.
Parents claim that despite bringing the issue to the attention of the Panchayat Samiti’s administrative department, no action was taken. Locals later lodged a complaint with the Group Education Officer, accusing the teacher of regularly assigning non-academic chores to students, neglecting teaching duties, and severely mistreating children. With no response from senior officials, parents have now warned of a sit-in protest.
The school, which caters to Classes 1 to 8 and has 96 enrolled students, reportedly suffers from severe mismanagement due to being run by a single teacher. Parents allege that Jadhav frequently arrives late, remains absent on Saturdays, and spends excessive time on his mobile phone.
The incident comes shortly after another tragedy in Palghar district, where a Class 6 student died after allegedly being forced to do 100 sit-ups for arriving late.
Responding to the latest allegations, Education Officer (Primary) Sonali Matekar confirmed that a team has been dispatched to investigate. District CEO Manoj Ranade also said that instructions have been issued for a detailed inquiry.
As the probe moves forward, parents await firm action to ensure student safety and restore trust in the school’s functioning.
