The Gujarat High Court strongly criticized the previous management of Seventh Day Adventist School in Ahmedabad for serious shortcomings in student safety, admission processes, and overall governance. This criticism came during a hearing regarding the state government’s decision to take control of the institution in December 2025 after a student was murdered on campus in August of the same year. The court expressed deep concern over what it called systemic failures at the school, questioning the trust parents could have in the institution.
The division bench overseeing the case raised questions about the school’s handling of the fatal incident and highlighted alleged security lapses. The judges pointed out that security personnel were negligent on the day of the incident and failed to promptly assist the injured student. The court emphasized the responsibility of educational institutions to ensure the safety and well-being of students, asking whether parents would send their children to a school where such tragedies could occur.
A petition filed by the school management aims to reverse the government’s decision to take over administrative control of the institution. The state’s action followed investigations that revealed various irregularities, including breaches of the Right to Education Act, improper admissions, and deficiencies in record-keeping. The government justified its intervention by citing the need to safeguard student welfare and address the serious issues that surfaced after assuming control of the school.
The incident in August involved a Class 8 student allegedly stabbing a Class 10 student near the school’s Khokhra Maninagar campus. Reports indicated that the injured student did not receive immediate medical assistance from school staff and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Following the incident, over 160 parents reportedly requested transfer certificates for their children due to concerns about campus safety and management practices.
The court stressed the importance of thorough due diligence in admissions and compliance with safety regulations, cautioning against viewing educational institutions as profit-oriented ventures. The bench criticized the notion of turning schools into money-making enterprises and emphasized the significance of prioritizing student welfare over financial gains. The case is scheduled for further hearing on February 10.
