Hyderabad: A reputed private school in Hyderabad has been served with notice by State Commission for Protection of Child Rights after repeated complaints of corporal punishment. But when the committee inspecting the case went to the school, some girl students complained of sexual harassment.
"I feel scared to go to school. Teacher had once asked to clean shoe, they beat me and others,"s says a 9-year-old student from the said school as he recounts the trauma he faced a few months ago. He was beaten by his teacher for not keeping his bag in the right place. Later, in an another incident, he was asked by a teacher to clean shoes. Shocked and angered, the minor's family complained about it not only to the school but also to the Child Rights and Human Rights Commission. However, his mother claimed that they are being harassed by the school management.
"We are getting threats. We are going through mental trauma. No action has been taken yet," says the student's mother.
After receiving a number of complaints, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights decided to inspect the school. And the team was shocked by its findings.
Almost all the children have complained about corporal punishment being meted out by the Principal, teachers and other staff members. The female students have complained about sexual harassment by a male teacher.
Taking sou motu cognizance of the complaints, the child rights panel served a notice to the school and also directed the District Educational Officer to submit a report and ensure that guidelines are being implemented. "It is a very serious case. We are collecting more evidence," said Mamatha Raghuveer, member, SCPCR.
The school management has denied all allegations saying they have neither received any complaints from parents nor any notice from the child rights commission. "The team just entered without permission. They spoke to kids in closed rooms. All guidelines are followed in the school," said KC Reddy, the spokesperson of St Pauls High School.
However, the child rights panel says it is still getting calls from parents and children complaining about corporal punishment. No serious action has been taken against the school so far.
It is the duty of Education Department to make regular checks to schools, talk to students and ensure guidelines are followed. But due to pressure from school lobby and lack of staff the department fails to do so. Moreover, it is also the responsibility of all parents to come out and report any such incidents happening in schools.
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