Belthangady: Headmaster sparks outrage for taking schoolchildren in pickup, tipper for study visit

Belthangady: Headmaster sparks outrage for taking schoolchildren in pickup, tipper for study visit

Mangalore Today News Network

Belthangady, Feb 13, 2026: A wave of public outrage has erupted after schoolchildren were allegedly transported illegally in open pickup and tipper vehicles for an educational visit, ignoring basic road safety norms. The incident occurred in Balengi village of Belthangady taluk.

The incident involves the government upgraded higher primary school at Balengi, which had recently celebrated its centenary in a grand manner. On the morning of February 10, under the leadership of in-charge headmaster Kiran, students were taken for a honey cultivation study visit to Anil Farm near Nalkoor. They were reportedly transported in a pickup vehicle bearing registration number KA-21-A-8776 and a tipper vehicle bearing number KA-70-2596, and later brought back to the school in the same vehicles.

As the matter came to light, angry parents questioned the decision, pointing out that even transporting daily-wage labourers in goods vehicles is prohibited under the Motor Vehicles Act. They demanded to know why schoolchildren were allowed to travel in such vehicles and who would have been responsible if any mishap had occurred during the journey. Parents strongly confronted headmaster Kiran over the incident.

Videos showing schoolchildren being transported in the pickup and tipper vehicles have since gone viral on social media. Following this, members of the public have demanded that the police department initiate strict legal action against the headmaster and the drivers of both vehicles.