Bangalore:
The state education department has finally decided to crack down on the menace of sexual harassment in schools. In a much-needed move that will benefit the victims of harassment and serve as a caution to habitual and potential offenders, the department of primary and secondary education will now directly hear complaints about sexual harassment.
If girl students and teachers in government, private aided and private unaided schools face harassment, they can directly complain to the head of the department via phone or post.
Speaking to DNA, RG Nadadur, principal secretary, primary and secondary education, said, "We had discussed this problem a lot of times in the meetings; I had also told the officials to take care of the issue. But this time, I have decided to communicate with the victims directly."
According to Nadadur, in spite of issuing three circulars, the problem continued to persist as the victims never came forward to complain fearing humiliation.
"People only tell about the cases; when we insist on an inquiry, the victims do not come forward to reveal the truth," explained Nadadur. "This is the reason why we could not punish the criminals. But from now on victims or their parents can directly contact me; I promise them that their identity will not be revealed," he said.
As of now, if the department receives any complaint regarding sexual harassment, the complaints are forwarded to Sandya Sharma, state project director, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Kaveri, director, Mass Education department. "I used to forward the cases to these two officers earlier but from now onwards we will forward the cases to the state Child Rights Commission for inquiry," said Nadadur.
Copyright restricted. Under licence from
www.3dsyndication.com