School authorities tight-lipped even as crime against students continue

 

 

Amid shocking cases of child abuse, sexual harassment and rape being reported in schools, people are raising questions on School Department’s working. There was no confirmation of inspection from authorities in schools regarding its order related to mandatory verification of employees working in schools till filing of this report. Social messages were doing rounds that Education Department had issued an order that verification of employees in schools is necessary. Character and police verification will now be mandatory for all academic and non-academic staff, including teachers, peons, gardeners, drivers in all schools of the State capital. The Education Department has issued an order but none of the official was available to confirm the order. One after another incidents against students are making headlines, right wing organisations, parents’ association and some other groups are protesting as per their capicity. But the main authority, District Education Department seems tight-lipped.

 

‘The Hitavada’, tried to talk to District Education Officer several times, but he refused to comment citing he was busy. Parents are clueless about their children’s future and in pain to think about their safety. Whether District Education Department has issued a notice in this regard to school principals and heads about verification is not clear. Major question raised till now is that there was no verification criteria in schools for employees or teachers. Haphazardly the department issued a notice asking schools to submit a certificate to the office of District Education Centre, Bhopal. It seems that we were waiting for incidents to happen only then take action to pass an order to prevent such monstrous acts.