Surajpur School Scandal: Kids Forced into Labor, High Court Demands Reply from Education Secretary – Chhattisgarh Child Labor Probe Escalates

Digital Desk

Chhattisgarh Surajpur school children made to mix cement, paint walls; High Court furious, seeks affidavit by March 11. Probe team formed.

A shocking child labor scandal has erupted in Chhattisgarh's Surajpur district, where poor RTE (Right to Education) students at a government-aided DAV school were allegedly forced to do manual work like mixing cement and painting walls. The Bilaspur High Court has taken suo motu cognizance, demanding a detailed affidavit from the Education Secretary by March 11, 2026.

High Court Intervention

Children in hard hats mixing cement and carrying materials at construction site near school with formwork and trenches

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agarwal heard the case urgently on Monday, overriding scheduled hearings. They slammed the authorities for violating RTE norms meant to protect underprivileged kids.

Principal Vidhu Sharma of Mukhya Mantri DAV Public School in Tilsiva faces accusations of exploiting RTE quota students for construction and whitewashing tasks. Videos show children handling cement bags, with blisters on their hands from refusal threats like TC cancellation.

This image captures children mixing cement at a school site, mirroring the viral evidence from Surajpur.

Parents' Grievances

Parents complained to the Collector, alleging the principal insulted them: "Your kids get free bags, books, electricity—no cost to you, talk outside." One parent noted their child returned home injured after digging and plastering.
Further claims include the principal converting a classroom into personal residence with her husband. Some families withdrew admissions due to harassment.

Forced cleaning and digging despite RTE protections.
Discrimination against "poor RTE kids."

Probe and Related Cases

Chhattisgarh government formed a three-member probe team on February 23; CMO tweeted it's "serious," promising strict action post-report.

In Raigad's pre-metric tribal girls' hostel, a viral video showed students painting walls and cleaning ledges—warden suspended, inquiry ordered.Raigad hostel girls are seen painting in this viral clip, highlighting similar exploitation.