The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a strongly worded show-cause notice to Neerja Modi School after the tragic death of a nine-year-old Class 4 student who jumped from the fourth floor of the school building on November 1. The incident, which sparked outrage across Jaipur and renewed concerns about children’s safety in educational institutions, has now led to a detailed inquiry revealing grave systemic failures.

A two-member CBSE inspection committee visited the school on November 3, the day after the incident, and its report highlights alarming violations in safety protocols, supervision, anti-bullying measures and teacher response. The findings point to glaring negligence at one of Rajasthan’s largest private schools, raising accountability questions at a time when India is witnessing a disturbing rise in student suicides and growing public discourse around mental health and bullying.

CBSE inspection reveals major safety violations

According to the CBSE committee’s findings, the child—despite studying on the ground floor—reached the fourth floor unnoticed. The fact that no staff member spotted her raises significant concerns about surveillance lapses in a school with more than 5,000 students.

Key revelations from the notice include:

  • Students were not wearing ID cards, delaying identification during the emergency.
  • The “spot of fall” was washed, making forensic evaluation difficult.
  • Mandatory safety and security committees were missing.
  • No dedicated staff monitored CCTV footage, despite the large student body.
  • Safety nets and secure railings were absent on higher floors.
  • Teachers, staff and housekeeping teams were not wearing ID cards as mandated under NCPCR and POCSO guidelines.
  • Counsellors were not engaged even when children showed signs of distress.

These findings indicate non-compliance with CBSE’s own Affiliation Bye-Laws, the National Building Code, the NDMA School Safety Policy and the Anti-Bullying Circular (Acad-17/2015).

Parents flagged bullying for 18 months

On November 12, the committee met the child’s parents, whose statements paint a distressing picture of repeated and unresolved bullying incidents over the previous 18 months.

As per the notice, the parents said:

  • The child had been subjected to derogatory comments, rumour-spreading, physical hitting and name-calling.
  • She repeatedly complained about classmates using “bad words”.
  • The class teacher allegedly asked the child to “adjust with other kids”.
  • Audio clips, messages and evidence of distress were shared with teachers in July 2024 and October 2025.
  • The school’s Anti-Bullying Committee did not intervene even once.
  • The school did not provide any counselling support despite multiple red flags.

The child reportedly pleaded with her mother, saying: “Mumma, I don’t want to go to school. Everyone troubles me. Please get me out of here.”

What happened on November 1

The CBSE notice refers to CCTV footage and teacher statements that trace the child’s final hours in school.

According to the findings:

  • She was cheerful in the morning—talking, dancing and eating snacks.
  • Around 11 am, she was disturbed by something written on a digital slate by a group of boys.
  • She appeared “puzzled” and “embarrassed”, repeatedly asking them to stop.
  • She approached her teacher five times within 45 minutes seeking help.
  • The teacher reportedly shouted instead of intervening or addressing the situation.
  • The child did not eat lunch and looked visibly distressed before leaving the classroom.

The CBSE notice explicitly states that timely intervention could have prevented the tragedy.

Systemic violations and policy breaches

The inspection committee concluded that the school “grossly violated” mandatory safety norms and created an unhealthy environment lacking emotional support and vigilance. The highlighted violations encompass:

  • Anti-Bullying policy non-compliance.
  • Child protection and POCSO Committee lapses.
  • Inadequate CCTV monitoring mechanisms.
  • Non-compliance with the National Building Code on structural safety.
  • Failure to adhere to CBSE’s Affiliation Bye-Laws on mental health support, staff identification and surveillance.

The findings reflect not just a single failure but a pattern of disregard for guidelines crucial to student safety.

School given 30 days to respond

CBSE has directed the school management to submit a detailed response within 30 days, explaining why action under Chapter 12 of the Affiliation Bye-Laws should not be taken. Possible penalties include fines, suspension of privileges and even withdrawal of affiliation.

With India reporting 13,892 student suicides in 2023—accounting for 8.1% of all suicide deaths—the tragedy has reignited urgent questions about school responsibility, mental health awareness and the willingness of institutions to act on early warning signs.

Conclusion

The CBSE notice signals a significant step toward accountability and highlights the urgent need for stronger child safety protocols in schools. As the investigation progresses, the case may serve as a watershed moment for reforms in school surveillance, mental health support, teacher training and anti-bullying frameworks across the country.