Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Heritage School Forms Inquiry Panel After Student Snakebite
A Class III student at The Heritage School was bitten by a snake on Tuesday.
The student went home before telling her parents about the bite.
Her parents took her to a hospital, and she was discharged the next day.
The school said she is now in good health.
The school closed for inspections after the incident.
A forest department team found a non-venomous rat snake on the campus.
Wildlife experts and a private agency are checking the school grounds.
The school also created a committee to find out what happened and improve safety.
The child’s mother said teachers should receive more training for emergencies.
A Class III student was bitten by a snake inside The Heritage School campus on Tuesday afternoon.
The student was taken to Fortis Hospital and discharged on Wednesday in good health.
A forest department inspection found a non-venomous rat snake on the premises.
The school engaged wildlife rescue experts and a private agency to inspect the campus.
A Special Inquiry Committee will review the incident and the school’s safety protocols.
- Who
- A Class III student at The Heritage School was bitten; the school, forest officials and experts are investigating.
- What
- The school formed a Special Inquiry Committee after the student was bitten by a snake on campus.
- When
- The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon; the student was discharged on Wednesday, and the school issued its statement on Thursday.
- Where
- The incident occurred at The Heritage School in Anandapur, Kolkata.
- Why
- The committee will review the circumstances and assess the school’s safety processes and emergency preparedness.
School’s response
Family’s concerns
Safety measures
School’s response
The school said child safety was its foremost priority and described inspections, expert consultations and an inquiry committee established after the incident.
Family’s concerns
The student’s mother questioned whether the school was sufficiently prepared to handle accidents and emergencies.
Emergency response
School’s response
The school said it extended necessary support to the family and that the principal and teachers visited the child.
Family’s concerns
The mother said the child did not report the bite at school and argued that teachers needed more training to recognise and manage children in distress.
- Student’s condition
- The student was discharged from a private hospital and was reported to be in good health.
- Snake found
- A forest department team found a rat snake, described as non-venomous, on the school premises.
- School closure
- The school remained closed on Wednesday and Thursday during inspections and investigation.
- Campus inspection
- The West Bengal Wild Animal Rescue and Transit Facility Centre inspected the buildings, external premises and surrounding areas.
- Independent review
- A private agency was engaged to identify additional preventive measures; its report was awaited.
- Inquiry committee
- A Special Inquiry Committee was formed to review the incident and existing safety protocols.
- Medical guidance
- Wildlife conservationist Nirit Dutta advised taking snake-bite patients to a hospital quickly and avoiding tourniquets, antiseptic liquid or attempts to suck out blood.