What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
A Haryana school principal, arrested on November 4 and remanded to custody on November 7, faces allegations of abuse from 142 students. An investigative committee initially identified 60 victims, later increasing to 142. The majority of complaints allege sexual assault, with some reporting physical abuse. The matter, surfacing on August 31, drew criticism for police delay. The Haryana Women’s Commission recommends the arrest of a guest teacher. Tragically, a student’s suicide is linked to the principal’s harassment. A six-member SIT team is also probing the case.
The shocking case has exposed the grave vulnerability of children in educational institutions. This case is not an isolated one, as there have been several other incidents of sexual violence and exploitation of children by teachers and principals in schools across the country. These incidents not only violate the rights and dignity of the children, but also damage their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They also erode the trust and confidence of the parents and society in the education system, which is supposed to provide a safe and conducive environment for learning and development.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for greater scrutiny and accountability of teachers and principals in educational institutions, to prevent and deter such heinous acts. Teachers and principals should be subjected to a rigorous and comprehensive screening and verification process before being appointed or promoted in educational institutions. This should include checking their criminal records, educational qualifications, professional experience, and personal references. This would help to weed out potential offenders and ensure that only qualified and suitable candidates are selected.
Educational institutions should have a robust and effective monitoring and reporting mechanism to detect and address any cases of misconduct or abuse by teachers and principals. This should include regular inspections, audits, feedback, and complaints systems, involving the authorities, the staff, the students, and the parents. This would help to identify and resolve any issues at the earliest and provide a platform for the victims to seek justice and support.
Teachers and principals who are found guilty of any form of sexual violence or exploitation of children should be punished severely, as per the laws and regulations. This should include criminal prosecution, termination of service, cancellation of license, and blacklisting. This would help to deter the offenders and send a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated.
