VS Hospital nursing students allege teacher absenteeism, intimidation over complaints

Students at Sheth Vadilal Shah General Hospital have accused nursing school teachers of failing to fulfil their legal obligation to teach 2,900 hours annually, attending only 40 to 200 hours, and reportedly threatening students who raise complaints with failure.

On August 20, a group of students submitted complaints to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, AMC Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, AMC Mayor Pratibha Jain, and Medical Superintendent Dr Parul Shah, detailing alleged absenteeism and misconduct by nursing school teachers.

Allegations of intimidation by administration

Sources allege that after receiving the petition, Dr Shah identified students through signatures and class details, summoned them, scolded them, and pressured them to withdraw their complaints. This, students say, suggests administrative protection for the teachers.

Teachers accused of absenteeism and improper recruitment

On August 28, the in-charge principal reportedly filed a complaint against teachers Smita Engineer, Deepika Desai, Pooja Bedana, and Hitesh Kalsava for frequent absences from campus. Sources claim the teachers subsequently targeted the principal.

In addition, some teachers—Hetal Patel, Kinjal Patel, Disha Mahajan, and Kajal Soni—were allegedly recruited without the required nursing school teaching qualifications. While pursuing studies at outside institutes to obtain the necessary degrees, their attendance at the nursing school continued to be marked as present. Reports state that the teachers did not obtain official No Objection Certificates, which is legally required.

Students face threats over practical training

Students say conflicts between teachers and the principal have affected practical training. Teachers reportedly fail to accompany students to other hospitals for practical sessions, even though buses and scheduling are arranged, and have threatened to fail students in internal assessments for questioning this practice.

Allegations of harassment over minor issues

Students also claim that teachers have stopped attending classes altogether over the past ten days, instead spending time in union meetings. Teachers are accused of harassing students over minor matters, such as sitting arrangements, and scolding them for not wearing proper uniform footwear during the rainy season, while the teachers themselves reportedly do not follow uniform rules.

Calls for investigation

The combination of alleged teacher absenteeism, improper recruitment, and intimidation of students has prompted calls from students and sources for a thorough investigation into administrative and teaching practices at VS Hospital’s nursing school.