Days after the death of a seven-year-old student at a residential school in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, authorities have started a health screening drive at the campus and reviewed hygiene, drinking water arrangements and medical response protocols, officials said.
Following the incident, 30 students showing symptoms such as cold, cough and fever were kept under observation at different hospitals in the district. Officials said all remaining students at the school were stable and out of danger.
The Class 1 student at the ashram school in Maswan developed a high fever on August 22 and was taken to the local Primary Health Centre. The fever returned on Monday, after which he was shifted to the Rural Hospital in Manor, where doctors declared him dead, an official had said earlier.
After the boy’s death, the school superintendent was suspended for “gross negligence” in the discharge of duties. The Food and Drug Administration also inspected the institution’s kitchen and collected grocery items for laboratory analysis. Officials had earlier said a Special Investigation Team had been formed to conduct a detailed inquiry into the student’s death, fix responsibility and recommend preventive measures.
On Wednesday, the Palghar Zilla Parishad’s health department launched a comprehensive screening drive at the school, which has 395 resident students out of 449 total enrollees. Medical teams collected blood, serum and throat swab samples from students, along with water samples from the premises, and sent them for testing to find the source of infection, officials said.
Meanwhile, Shramjeevi Sanghatana president Sita Ghatal visited the school and urged the state government to take over its management and convert it into a fully government-run facility. She said the school mainly accommodates children from the vulnerable Katkari community and migrant tribal families from Dahanu and nearby areas.
She also said the government must ensure round-the-clock emergency medical care, clean drinking water, adequate nutrition and quality educational infrastructure to protect the lives and future of tribal students.
The developments came as authorities continued inquiries into the student’s death, carried out health checks at the school and examined campus facilities, while 30 students remained under observation in hospitals.
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Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Aug 27, 2026 15:42 IST
