Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Father Alleges Palghar Ashram School Failed to Report Death
A six-year-old boy at a residential school in Palghar became very sick.
He had a fever for two days and later had trouble breathing.
He died while adults were taking him to a hospital.
His father says the school did not tell the family about the death.
The family reportedly heard the news from another student.
Doctors checked other children at the school.
Twenty-six students with mild symptoms were kept under observation and were stable.
Officials found problems with water and other basic facilities.
They ordered health checks, cleaning and water purification.
A six-year-old student at Maharashtra’s Maswan tribal ashram school died after developing breathing difficulty while being taken to hospital.
The child had reportedly experienced fever for two days and attended school on Monday before his condition suddenly worsened.
The boy’s father alleged that school authorities did not inform the family, which learned of the death from another student.
Twenty-six students with mild cold, cough or fever symptoms were placed under observation and were reported to be stable.
Officials found deficiencies in drinking water and basic amenities and ordered health screenings, sanitation improvements and water purification.
- Who
- A six-year-old student died; his father alleged that school authorities failed to inform the family. Twenty-six other students were monitored.
- What
- The student died after fever and breathing difficulty, prompting medical screenings and inspections at the residential school.
- When
- The child died after attending school on Monday; he was one of two students reported to have died there within 20 days.
- Where
- The Maswan tribal ashram school and Maswan Primary Health Centre in Palghar, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Officials ordered corrective measures after the incident, the presence of illness symptoms among students and the discovery of deficiencies in water and basic amenities.
Family’s Concerns
Officials’ Response
Notification of the death
Family’s Concerns
The father alleged that the school administration did not inform the family, which learned about the death from another student.
Officials’ Response
Officials described the child’s deterioration and death while he was being taken to hospital; the reports do not say that the school directly notified the family.
School conditions
Family’s Concerns
The death of the child, alongside another recent student death, raised concerns about the safety and functioning of the residential school.
Officials’ Response
Project officer Vishal Khatri found deficiencies, reprimanded the management and ordered sanitation, water purification and health-check measures.
Risk to other students
Family’s Concerns
The illnesses reported among 26 students prompted concern about the health conditions affecting children at the school.
Officials’ Response
Officials said the monitored students were stable and directed authorities to screen all students and treat those who were unwell.
- School enrollment
- The school has 449 students, including 395 residential students.
- Child’s symptoms
- The six-year-old reportedly had fever for two days before developing breathing difficulty.
- Recent deaths
- The child was one of two students reported to have died at the school within 20 days.
- Students monitored
- Twenty-six students with mild cold, cough or fever symptoms were placed under observation.
- Student condition
- Officials said the monitored students were stable.
- Inspection findings
- Officials reported serious deficiencies in drinking water and other basic amenities.
- Statewide figure
- Officials previously reported 584 student deaths over two years across Maharashtra’s state-run and government-aided residential ashram schools.
