Barred from writing exam, student commits suicide

Kolkata: A school student reportedly committed suicide after he was barred from sitting for examination as he allegedly did not have enough attendance and failed to pay Rs 400 for his examination form.

According to sources, the 14-year-old boy, who was studying in Class IX at a school Habra in North 24-Parganas consumed poison on November 18 evening at his home. His family members rushed him to R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on the same night. He was under treatment. Late on Saturday night the boy died.

His family members claimed that the boy was from a needy family. His father is a mason and suffers from heart ailments.

As he is ill, he cannot work frequently and thus fails to earn enough to support his family. The deceased boy's mother is suffering from psychological ailments has to work as domestic help.

Sources informed that the boy used to do odd jobs to support his family and thus failed to attend school everyday. He used to make money to pay his school and tuition fees apart from supporting his family. When he used to get time, he attended school. On November 18, he went to school and came to know that he has been barred from attending examination.

When he tried to find out the cause, he found that his attendance was not sufficient.

He also came to know that due to the consequences of not having enough attendance he will not be able to fill up form for sitting in examinations and for not submitting Rs 400 within a stipulated period. School authority reportedly informed the boy that he failed to submit some project report which was an essential criteria to appear in examination. Hearing this, the boy went back home in the afternoon.

After he returned home, went inside a room and consumed poison. His father saw him lying unconscious and screamed for help. The boy was rushed to R G Kar Hospital where doctors tried to save him but failed as the poison had mixed with his blood. He was kept under observation. On Saturday night, the boy died.

School authorities claimed that for filling up the form Rs 250 was required. But the boy did not approach the authorities requesting for exemption of the fee.