Barak Bani Dainik
A Series of Allegations Surrounding Holy Cross School Raises Serious Questions About the School Administration
Barak Bani Digital Desk, Silchar 25 May: Educational institutions are not merely about the pages of textbooks. A school represents the first foundation of a child’s dreams, a place where self-confidence is nurtured, and where a child grows in a mentally safe environment. But when that very educational space turns into an atmosphere filled with fear, humiliation, and psychological pressure, it becomes not only the failure of an institution but also a matter of grave concern for society as a whole.
A series of serious allegations surrounding Holy Cross Higher Secondary School, one of Silchar’s well-known private educational institutions, has recently created widespread concern among parents. The allegations center around student safety, mental harassment, administrative negligence, and a culture of intimidation whenever complaints are raised. Although the accusations have not yet been officially proven, the questions emerging from these incidents are deeply troubling and deserve the attention of every conscious member of society.
Shadow of Fear in the Educational Arena! Explosive Allegations Against Holy Cross School Create Uproar in Silchar
The controversy reportedly began with an incident involving a Class V student. According to the family, the child was physically assaulted by a classmate during school hours. Upon returning home, visible injury marks were reportedly found on the child’s face, leaving the family shocked. Naturally, this raises an important question: if a child cannot feel safe even inside a school, where can parents seek security for their children?
The parents allege that despite immediately informing the school authorities, the matter was not treated with the seriousness it deserved. Photographs of the injured student were reportedly shared, communication was established with the class teacher, and the complaint also reached the headmistress. However, according to the family, no visible impartial investigation or strict administrative action followed. Instead, there appeared to be an attempt to suppress the matter. This raises another critical question: is the first responsibility of an educational institution to protect its reputation, or to ensure the safety of its students?
The matter, however, did not end there. The family further alleges that certain comments were made in front of the child that could deeply damage the confidence of any young student. According to the complaint, the child was allegedly told, “Your future is dark,” and “Your parents trust you blindly.” Should such language ever come from a teacher or an educational institution? Is education meant to inspire, or to intimidate?
Allegations of Student Abuse and Psychological Trauma, Are Questions Being Met with Hints of Transfer Certificates?
If a child is made to believe from an early age that he is “unworthy” or destined for a “dark future,” the long-term psychological consequences can be severe. Psychologists have repeatedly warned that negative and humiliating remarks directed at children can have lasting mental effects, including loss of self-confidence, school anxiety, social isolation, and even depression. Yet allegations now suggest that an educational institution itself may have become the source of such emotional trauma.
Even more concerning allegations surfaced when the parents demanded an impartial investigation. According to them, the issue of a “Transfer Certificate” or TC was then brought up. Does this imply that questioning the authorities could lead to indirect pressure to leave the school? If so, does that mean ordinary parents are left with no fair platform to voice legitimate concerns? Allegations suggest that an unspoken message was being conveyed: remain silent, or withdraw your child from the institution.
Such a situation is extremely dangerous for any healthy democratic education system. If parents become afraid to speak about their children’s safety, the courage to stand against injustice may gradually disappear altogether. Another allegation emerged the following day. The family claims that the injured student was allegedly made to stand outside the classroom for some time and was later shifted to a different section. This raises yet another question: was this merely an administrative decision, or an indirect punishment for raising complaints?
If these allegations are true, they are deeply alarming. Such actions could leave a child feeling isolated or targeted, severely affecting both academic growth and personality development. Meanwhile, another explosive allegation has also surfaced. A parent has alleged that a nursery student was labeled a “mental patient,” “mad,” and “unfit for this school.” The parent claims that a written case has already been filed in court and that preparations are underway for further legal action. This raises a painful question: if a child who is only beginning to understand the world is branded as “mad” or “unworthy,” what kind of educational values does that reflect? Does education teach humanity, or does it psychologically weaken children?
Perhaps the most disturbing aspect is the claim by several parents that threatening messages are allegedly circulating within school WhatsApp groups. In other words, are parents facing pressure simply for raising concerns? Are questions being treated as attacks on the institution’s image? Today’s students are already growing up under immense pressure from academics, competition, social expectations, and digital influence. If educational institutions themselves become places of fear and insecurity, then what remains of the true purpose of education?
Only recently, another educational institution in Silchar, Maharishi Vidyamandir, came under scrutiny over allegations of physical and mental harassment of students, prompting intervention by the Human Rights Commission and even teacher transfers. Consequently, fresh questions are now being raised: are some private schools in Silchar gradually moving beyond accountability? Has education ceased to be a service and instead become a sphere of unchecked authority?
It must, of course, be remembered that allegations alone do not prove guilt. A fair and impartial investigation is essential to establish the truth. However, if an atmosphere of fear and intimidation develops immediately after complaints are raised, that itself becomes a matter of serious concern. In such situations, transparency gives way to a culture of silence.
When our correspondent contacted the concerned class teacher over the phone, she reportedly responded in an irritated tone, saying, “Come to the school; nothing can be discussed over the phone.” However, until now, no detailed official statement has been publicly issued by the school authorities. This silence raises another important question: why is the institution hesitant to take a clear stand after such sensitive allegations? Why the reluctance to address issues related to child safety openly and transparently?
Education is not merely about examination scores. Education is about values, empathy, security, and emotional development. When parents send their children to school, they expect not only academic learning but also a humane and nurturing environment. If allegations instead arise regarding humiliation, mental harassment, and intimidation, it undoubtedly reflects a deeper social crisis. Today, one question echoes throughout the parent community in Silchar: if children are not safe within the temples of education, and if raising questions leads to an atmosphere of fear, then what direction will the future of the next generation take?
