Education minister suspends principal over viral video of students doing labour works

Chandigarh: A video showing students at the School of Eminence in Ludhiana working as labourers has sparked outrage on social media.

The school, located in the Jawahar Nagar area, has come under scrutiny after reports emerged that students were being asked to carry sandbags to a construction site on campus instead of attending classes, just days before their board exams.

The incident is said to have continued for three to four consecutive days, prompting swift action from Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.

The minister announced on his X account that the school’s principal had been suspended, stating that such incidents are unacceptable. He also warned teachers across the state to ensure such practices are avoided.

Parents expressed anger over the situation, with one saying, “We send our children to study, not to work as labourers. If construction is necessary, the government should hire proper labourers.”

While some students voiced concerns about the impact on their studies, others complied with the instructions.

A Class 10 student remarked, “There’s no harm in helping the school, but with board exams approaching, we need to focus on our studies. Our uniforms get dirty, but we follow what our teachers tell us.”

The controversy has cast a shadow over the School of Eminence initiative, which is aimed at providing quality education. The government’s response highlights the importance of safeguarding students’ educational environment from such practices.