Araria: District education officer (DEO) Saheb Alam suspended a teacher and the headmistress of Govt Primary School, Khajurbari, for allegedly making students place benches across a waterlogged campus so she could reach the classroom without stepping into floodwater. The action followed after a video of the incident sparked outrage on social media.The video showed teacher Afsana Praveen asking children to arrange benches as a makeshift walkway. After examining her explanation, the DEO found it unsatisfactory and ordered her immediate suspension. She has been directed to report to the Block Resource Centre in Forbesganj during the suspension period.The school’s headmistress, Nilima Pathak, was also suspended and asked to report to the same office until further orders.Officials said departmental proceedings would be initiated against both under the Bihar Government Servants (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 2005. They will receive subsistence allowance as per service rules during suspension.The DEO said the teacher’s conduct and the headmistress’s supervisory lapse reflected serious negligence and were inconsistent with the standards expected of government school educators. He stressed that schools must protect the dignity and welfare of children at all times.The action was widely welcomed by parents and local residents, many of whom said it sent a strong message that children should never be used for the personal convenience of school staff.