11 Kids Sick as Teacher Adds Pesticide to Water in School
In Telangana, a teacher mixed pesticide in the drinking water at a government-run residential school in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district. The incident left 11 students sick and raised serious concerns about student safety, school supervision, and teacher mental health. Fortunately, all the affected students recovered after being kept under medical observation for 24 hours at a local government hospital.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to police investigations, Rajender, a science teacher at the Urban Residential School, is accused of deliberately contaminating the water supply. His alleged motive was personal rivalry; he reportedly wanted to frame two of his colleagues, Venu and Suryaprakash, to gain dominance in school affairs.
In an attempt to cover his tracks, Rajender is said to have hidden the pesticide bottle under a student’s bedsheet and even warned children not to disclose what they saw. He also poured drops of the chemical on the bedsheets to divert suspicion. To make the act appear less intentional, Rajender himself drank the tainted water and was later admitted to the hospital along with the students.
Students Speak Out
On Saturday morning, the truth came to light when students bravely shared details about the ongoing rivalry among the teachers with the school authorities. Their testimony revealed the disturbing level of hostility within the teaching staff, which had now endangered children’s health and safety.
Action Taken by Authorities
District Collector Rahul Sharma immediately suspended the three teachers involved in the conflict, along with the school cook. He visited the school and hospital along with local MLA Gandra Satyanarayana Rao and Superintendent of Police Kiran Kare.
The district administration has now directed education officers and police teams to carry out surprise inspections in residential schools. The collector emphasised that any act endangering students’ well-being would lead to strict disciplinary action and removal from service.
Health and Mental Well-being Concerns
While the physical effects of pesticide exposure in this case were fortunately mild and reversible, the mental health impact on children cannot be ignored. Being betrayed by a trusted teacher and exposed to potential poisoning may lead to anxiety, fear, and long-term stress among young students.
Experts stress the importance of psychological counselling and support after such traumatic events. Residential schools, in particular, should strengthen not only safety protocols but also mental health awareness programs for both staff and students.
Lessons for Schools
- Student Safety: Schools must have strict monitoring of food and water supplies.
- Staff Mental Health: Teacher rivalries and unresolved workplace conflicts can escalate dangerously if not addressed. Regular counselling, conflict resolution mechanisms, and stress management workshops should become part of school systems.
Conclusion
The Telangana case, where a teacher mixed pesticide in drinking water, serves as a grim reminder that student safety and teacher mental health are equally important. While the children have physically recovered, the incident underlines the urgent need for preventive checks, stronger supervision, and mental health interventions in schools to ensure such harmful episodes never repeat.
Source:Â Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 25 August 2025
- 09:00
