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Sexual molestation in schools…

Jun 12, 2008 News

Teachers concerned over image of institutions

Even as the Education Ministry continues to put measures in place to curb the incidences of sexual molestation in schools, several teachers are claiming that some of the recently uncovered cases should have never even occurred.
They are of the belief that the Welfare Department of the Ministry of Education is to be blamed to a large extent, since crucial information which should have ensured a thorough investigation into prior matters has eluded its grasp. One such incident, they related, was that of a teacher who was accused of molesting students at a city school on several occasions, a matter which was brought to the attention of the Welfare Department as far back as 2005.
However, attempts by this newspaper to contact Welfare Officers at the ministry yesterday proved to be futile. Reference to some of these allegations was also revealed to this newspaper in a correspondence, which stated that it was while the teacher was being investigated in 2005 that another allegation was made.
There was evidence to suggest that the teacher was also accused of molesting several students while stationed at other schools, but instead of drastic sanctions being taken, the teacher was transferred from one school to another. The acts continued.
It was also reported that the accused teacher has, over the years, claimed to have associations with persons in authority and therefore had nothing or no one to fear.
It was reported that the incidents which had reportedly engaged the attention of the Welfare Department were continually suppressed.
However, recent intense and unified efforts have served to halt the continuance of the teacher’s practice. There has also been the assurance of the Education Minister Shaik Baksh that, once found guilty of sexual molestation, teachers will be dismissed. There would be no compromise. But even with the intervention by the minister, it is the belief of some teachers that earnest efforts must be made to uplift the image of the schools which have been affected.
And the teachers say that this can only be done through restoring the ideal school setting, where teachers are expected to take responsibility for the wellbeing of children.
“We are like their parents, they are supposed to look up to us. It will be quite a task restoring their confidence in especially the male teachers.”
Viewing the incidents as a stepping stone for the system, one teacher speculated that teachers will no doubt become more vigilant and therefore will not allow the integrity of their schools to “go down the drain.”
Meanwhile, the teachers claimed that they are forced to deal with several students of affected schools who have become wary of wearing their school uniforms, afraid that persons would look down on them for attending such institutions.
And while several teachers are working towards reassuring their students that what has occurred is not their fault, the Education Ministry is also streamlining other intervening measures.
According to Minister Baksh, the ministry will soon dispatch Guidance and Counselling Officers to the troubled institutions. These officers will address the concerns of students with a view to helping them to overcome the dilemma.

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