CBSE cancels affiliation of Jaipur’s Neerja Modi school, 2 months after student suicide, teachers had ignored 9-year-old’s plea for help

Neerja Modi School Jaipur suicide case
Neerja Modi School loses CBSE affiliation (Image via IndiaToday and My sCool Server)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled the affiliation of Neerja Modi School in Jaipur following the death of a nine-year-old student, Amayra, who died by suicide after falling from the fourth floor of the school building on 1st November. The decision was announced on Tuesday, 30th December, after CBSE concluded that the school had seriously violated mandatory child safety norms.

In an eight-page order, the board stated that the incident exposed “grave, flagrant and wilful non-compliance” with safety rules and showed that the school was “not fit for continuation of affiliation.” CBSE described the tragedy as a result of systemic failure, negligence, and lack of accountability, adding that the child’s death could have been completely prevented.

What CBSE found during its inquiry

CBSE had constituted a two-member fact-finding committee to look into the matter. The committee conducted surprise checks, monitored CCTV footage, checked school records, and interacted with parents and school staff. It was based on this inquiry that CBSE found some serious lapses in the school’s safety mechanisms.

The board also noted that open areas on the upper floors did not have safety grills or steel nets. CCTV coverage in other areas was ineffective, and crucial footage was not preserved. No regular staff were deployed to monitor corridors or staircases, and the movement of the child to the fourth floor went completely unnoticed.

CBSE also pointed out the absence of a functional counselling system and anti-bullying mechanism. Despite repeated complaints from parents about bullying, there was no structured or documented action that the school took against them. Even teachers, staff members, and students were found sans identity cards, which is basically contradictory to the allegation of proper supervision and access control.

One of the most serious observations made by CBSE was that the blood-stained area at the spot where the child fell was cleaned almost immediately after the incident. The board said this amounted to tampering with potential forensic evidence. “The removal of vital material evidence within minutes of the incident demonstrates a serious breach of legal and procedural obligations,” the order said.

Counselling and bullying complaints ignored

CBSE strongly rejected the school’s claim that the child was happy and doing well academically, stating that such arguments did not address the core issue of safety and care. The board said it was clear that the school limited its response to informal discussions during parent-teacher meetings and failed to initiate any proper intervention.

“There is no record of counselling, referrals, or remedial action,” CBSE observed, adding that this showed a complete breakdown of the safeguarding system that schools are required to maintain under affiliation rules.

The school’s defence rejected

Neerja Modi School had argued that it complied with building safety norms, fire safety regulations, and had formed all mandatory committees. However, CBSE dismissed these claims, saying that having certificates on paper does not replace real child safety measures.

The board also noted that although committees were shown to exist, there was no evidence of meetings, actions taken, or cases being handled. “Committees existed only on paper,” CBSE said.

Calling the incident “completely preventable,” the board stated that the failure to monitor the child after she left for the washroom was a serious breach of the school’s duty of care.

CBSE’s final decision and penalties

As a result of the findings, CBSE imposed the strictest penalty available under its rules. The school’s affiliation up to the senior secondary level has been withdrawn with immediate effect. However, Class X and XII students will be allowed to appear for board examinations from the same school in the 2025–26 session to avoid academic disruption.

Students of Classes IX and XI must be shifted to nearby CBSE-affiliated schools by 31st March, 2026. The school has been barred from admitting new students or promoting existing ones to Classes IX and XI. 

CBSE also said the school may apply for restoration of affiliation up to the secondary level only after one academic year, starting from 2027–28, subject to strict compliance. Senior secondary affiliation can be sought only after two additional academic years.

The future of Classes I to VIII will be decided by the Rajasthan State Education Department.

Teachers suspended after pressure from Authorities

Meanwhile, the management of Neerja Modi School has also taken disciplinary action against staff members. Nearly 50 days after the incident on 24th December, the school suspended Class Teacher Punita Sharma and Mathematics Teacher Rachna. The move reportedly came after sustained pressure from CBSE and the Rajasthan Education Department.

Background of the Case

On 1st November, Amayra, a Class 4 student, died by suicide after jumping from the fourth floor of the school building. Following the incident, her family accused the school of ignoring repeated complaints about bullying by classmates.

CBSE’s inquiry later confirmed instances of bullying and highlighted serious failures by the school management. The report noted that the incident occurred at 12:28:11 pm and that the area was cleaned before forensic examination, raising serious concerns about destruction of evidence.

CBSE has reiterated its “zero tolerance” policy on child safety, stressing that schools are meant to be safe spaces for children and that any violation of this responsibility will invite strict action.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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