Teacher suspended after viral video shows students massaging her feet at Tribal school
A teacher at the Bandapalli Girls’ Tribal Ashram School in Meliyaputti mandal of Srikakulam district has been suspended after a video showing her talking on the phone while students massaged her feet went viral on social media. The incident has sparked widespread criticism and prompted an official inquiry by the education and tribal welfare authorities.
The video, believed to have been recorded recently inside a classroom, was circulated widely online, drawing condemnation from parents and activists. Following the outrage, officials from the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Seethampeta, and the District Education Office (DEO), Srikakulam, conducted a preliminary verification and confirmed that the visuals were genuine. The teacher was immediately placed under suspension pending a full inquiry.
According to officials, the inquiry will be conducted by a team comprising ITDA and education department representatives. Statements from the students, staff, and the teacher will be recorded, and a detailed report will be submitted to the District Collector and the Commissioner of Tribal Welfare. The teacher’s past service record will also be reviewed to determine whether any previous complaints had been made. So far, no earlier incidents of misconduct by the teacher have been found.
If the allegations are fully substantiated, disciplinary proceedings will be initiated under the Andhra Pradesh Civil Services (CCA) Rules, 1991, and the Conduct Rules, 1964. The possible actions include termination of service, withholding of increments or promotions, or transfer from service in tribal welfare institutions. Officials have stated that strict measures will be recommended to ensure accountability.
In cases where student exploitation or abuse is established, the matter can be escalated for criminal prosecution under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, or relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. However, at present, no criminal intent has been reported in connection with this case.
Similar incidents of teachers misusing their authority have been reported in recent years in Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere. In 2023, a teacher in Machilipatnam, Krishna district, was suspended after students were made to clean his scooter during school hours. In Vizianagaram in 2022, a hostel warden was removed for forcing children to do personal chores, while a Kadapa teacher faced inquiry in 2021 over allegations of asking students to massage his legs. Comparable cases were also reported in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, where teachers were suspended after videos surfaced showing similar behaviour.
Education authorities have described such acts as “unacceptable and degrading” to students. Officials from the Tribal Welfare Department have stated that fresh instructions will be issued to all residential and tribal schools reminding staff of their code of conduct and responsibility to maintain student dignity. Additional inspections and awareness sessions are also being planned.
The suspension of the Bandapalli teacher has been confirmed by the ITDA, and the final outcome of the inquiry is awaited.