A public outcry has risen against a teacher at PMSA Memorial Higher Secondary School, Chemmankadavu, near here, following complaints of sexual abuse by 19 girls of that school.
Students complained that the Urdu teacher and coordinator of the National Service Scheme (NSS) at the school had abused them sexually during a residential NSS camp held at the school early this month. Although the students had complained to the Principal and some other teachers, they reportedly tried to cover it up by pacifying the students. However, the incident came to light after a girl from another school raised the issue.
The students of PMSA Memorial Higher Secondary School threatened to boycott classes on Saturday if their complaint was not heeded, forcing the school authorities to end their silence. School Principal K.G. Prasad, in a statement here on Saturday, said that he would recommend to the management for 15 days’ suspension for the teacher. He said he would hand over the complaints to the police and inform Childline.
Childline officials said that they learned about the incident at 11.30 a.m. on Saturday from the public. They suspected that the school authorities had tried to cover up the incident, which had the potential to invoke the grave sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Officials said the offence would be treated as “aggravated,” as it was done by a teacher who has the responsibility to safeguard the children.
The school authorities, including the teachers and the Principal, could be booked under the POCSO Act if they are found to have tried to protect him and cover up the incident. The law makes it mandatory for the school authorities to report any incident of child abuse.