Class 9 girl gives birth to baby in Karnataka school restroom, investigation directed

In a shocking incident, it has come to light that a baby boy was born inside the toilet of a government residential school in Karnataka's Yadgir district by a Class 9 girl. The girl and the infant are in stable condition and being treated at the Shahapur Government Hospital, officials confirmed.

The delivery reportedly took place on Wednesday afternoon, but the matter came to light only the following day, raising questions about the response and accountability of school authorities and local health officials.

Notifying the incident, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) directed a detailed investigation. Commission member Shashidhar Kosambe, who made the trip to the school on Thursday, raised concern regarding the failure to monitor the health of the student and instructed the filing of a suo motu case against the school's principal and staff.

"More and more such incidents are coming to us in the state, which is unfortunate. The health officials here should have carried out monthly check-ups, but where lapses seem to have taken place. We have instructed the DCP, Yadgir, to go to the school, register a case, and submit a detailed report by tonight evening. Action will be initiated against all concerned," said Kosambe.

The incident has enraged child rights campaigners and observers of education, who insist that it is an indicator of institutional failure in the protection of students in residential institutions. Many contend that even with child protection protocols in place, laxity at the grassroots level makes vulnerable learners susceptible to abuse and neglect.

At the same time, the school administration has been severely criticized for not reporting the incident to the Commission immediately. The KSCPCR has also held health and education officials accountable for not detecting the girl's condition when she was screened in the course of regular medical checks.

The authorities added that a further investigation will ascertain how the pregnancy escaped detection and if the girl had been sexually assaulted. Police and child protection officers have been instructed to counsel the mother and newborn, as well as ensure their safety.

The incident is the latest addition to a mounting list of child protection issues in Karnataka, with issues still raised over the effectiveness of monitoring systems within schools.