Why did Minister Jagat Singh break the lock of the school in Pangi, Himachal? Stir education department - Himachal minister breaks lock at school after finding students locked out

Updated: Thu, 16 Oct 2025 12:44 (IST) Minister Jagat Singh Negi, after seeing the lock in Thandal School of Pangi, broke it himself. Children stood outside, teachers are missing. The minister reprimanded the negligence on the spot and ordered an investigation. Villagers have raised questions about the working style of the education department. The in controller said that the key was left at home by mistake. The minister spoke of strict action against the culprits. Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi stands outside Thandal School. Dialogue partner, Pangi. A shocking incident came to light in the Pangi tribal subdivision on Wednesday when Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi himself broke the lock of the school and made the children sit in the class. The matter pertains to Thandal Middle School, Panchayat Purthi, where the minister reached during his visit. At the request of the villagers, when the minister was inspecting the road to the village, he came near Thandal School at 09:55 and saw that all the children were standing outside the school, while the main gate was closed. Remove Advertisement Only Read News The minister and the children waited for about half an hour for the school key, but when the key was not found, the minister himself ordered that the lock be broken. The children were only allowed into the school after the lock was broken. Only a teacher and a multitasking worker were present at the scene, but both did not have the keys to the school. A total of 29 students study in Thandal Middle School, while 5 teachers, one multi-tasker and one class IV employee are posted here. But at the time of inspection only one teacher was present outside the school, no one else was present. Regarding this negligence, the Minister strongly reprimanded the teacher and employee who were present on the spot and issued orders for immediate investigation into the matter. However, the negligence revealed during the surprise inspection of Minister Jagat Singh Negi at the Thandal Middle School created a stir in the entire Pangi area. When he saw the children standing outside, the minister himself broke the lock, reprimanded the teachers and ordered an investigation. Now it remains to be seen how strict the departmental action is after the investigation report comes. Local residents angry, questions about administration Local villagers also raised questions about the working style of the education department and administration. He says the problem of discipline and attendance has continued for a long time in Thandal School, but the departmental officers turn a blind eye. The minister’s surprise inspection revealed this negligence, and now it is expected that liability will be established in the education department after this incident. A total of five teachers work in the school. Currently, my duty was involved in the teaching workshop that was going on in Kilar, so I was not present in the school at that time. Two other teachers from the school were on leave according to prior permission, while one teacher had to go on emergency leave due to extenuating circumstances. There was only one teacher present in the school, but the school key was accidentally left with me at home. I immediately sent an employee to get the key, but the key could not be received in time. Meanwhile, the respected minister arrived for a surprise inspection of the school. When he saw how the school was locked, he instructed to open the lock immediately, after which the pupils had to sit inside the school. This incident happened completely unintentionally, there was no intention of any kind of negligence. -Om Prakash, In charge, Government Middle School When I reached the school, the main gate of the school was closed and children were standing outside. The hanging of the lock in the school shows serious negligence of the system. I immediately ordered the locks to be broken and the children to sit in the classes and issued orders to investigate the matter. Such negligence related to education will no longer be tolerated. Responsibility will be fixed and strict action will be taken against the culprits because there can be no compromise with the education of children. -According to the instructions given by Jagat Singh Negi, Minister of Horticulture and Tribal Development, Himachal Pradesh, the investigation of this matter has been entrusted to me. This is undoubtedly a serious matter, in which the negligence of the education system is clearly visible. I will personally visit Thandal school tomorrow and do a detailed investigation of the entire episode. Only after the facts have been confirmed will it be clear at what level the mistake happened and which officers or employees are responsible. The investigation will be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. -Tilak Sharma, Chief Executive, Shahid Deena Nath Thakur Government Senior Secondary School, Purthi and Cluster Incharge