A government higher primary school in Bilagerehundi village, nestled within Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Varuna Assembly constituency in Mysuru district, has ignited widespread public fury after it was revealed that teachers compelled primary-school children to draw water from an uncovered sump and scrub filthy toilets, highlighting chronic staff shortages and blatant violation of child protection norms in rural institutions.

The shocking incident surfaced on November 20 when local resident and parent Siddaraju reached the school premises to pick up his daughter from the adjoining anganwadi centre. He was stunned to see several young students precariously hauling buckets from the open sump and carrying cleaning supplies toward the toilet block; upon questioning, the children nervously admitted that their teachers had instructed them to perform these chores because no sweepers or water attendants had been appointed.

The case has triggered particular alarm in the wake of a recent tragic death of a student in Kolar district who drowned after falling into an uncovered school sump, underscoring the lethal risks of such negligence. Siddaraju immediately recorded the scene on his mobile phone, lodged a verbal complaint with the Block Education Officer, and later submitted a formal written grievance along with the video evidence, demanding the immediate suspension of the headmaster and appointment of dedicated sanitation staff.

Also Read: Many Government School Students Added to Kannada Rajyotsava 2025 Celebration

Deputy Director of Public Instruction S.T. Javaregowda swiftly intervened, directing the BEO to conduct an urgent investigation and submit a detailed report by Monday. He affirmed that teachers found responsible would face stringent departmental action and reiterated that schools are strictly prohibited from assigning manual cleaning or water-fetching duties to students under any circumstances.

Occurring in the Chief Minister’s own backyard, the controversy has amplified political embarrassment for the Congress government and intensified demands for systemic reforms to ensure safe, dignified learning environments and adequate support staff across Karnataka’s thousands of government schools.

Also Read: #BreakingNews: Two Killed, 12 Injured as Bus Carrying Labourers Electrocuted, Catches Fire in Jaipur