New Delhi: An inquiry committee appointed by the Delhi government has flagged the need for stronger student welfare mechanisms and closer monitoring of school practices following the death of a Class 10 student of St Columba's School last year.

The panel was constituted after the 16-year-old student allegedly died by suicide on November 18 by jumping from a Metro station platform. The Directorate of Education initiated the probe on November 21 to ascertain facts and fix accountability.

The committee visited the school, recorded statements of students, teachers, parents and officials, and examined institutional records.

It observed that students faced emotional distress linked to classroom practices and the lack of structured counselling support. The report also pointed to the absence of formal systems to assess mental well-being and document follow-ups.

Emphasising adolescent mental health, the panel recommended trained teachers, qualified counsellors, confidential grievance mechanisms and stronger parental engagement to prevent similar incidents.