Delhi CM suspends teachers, vice principal of govt school for failing to report sexual harassment to police

livemint.com:

Arvind Kejriwal ordered the immediate suspension of the teachers and the vice principal of a Delhi Government school where incidences of sexual harassment has been reported. In this Delhi government school, two boys were sexually assaulted allegedly by their classmates in April this year.

Delhi education minister Atishi on Tuesday noted Kejriwal directed disciplinary action against the accused for failing to report the matter to the Police. In a letter to the Education Secretary, Atishi said, “It is Our responsibility to ensure all children are safe and secure in our schools." “And if any such instances of child sexual abuse are brought to light, then appropriate legal action has to be taken.

We have to take all possible steps to ensure that such an instance is not repeated in our schools," she wrote. She added that the incident should “make us reflect and take corrective measures.

We must do everything to ensure children are safe and secure at all times." Atishi added that Kejriwal has directed the Directorate of Education to ensure rigorous training of all the principals and teachers on the provisions of POCSO. Mandatory reporting of such incidents, tools for early identification of abuse, types of abuse, the impact of abuse on children, and remedial measures enabling capacity building of teachers to support such students are among the measures directed by the chief minister.

According to Atishi, the chief minister also directed the Directorate of Education to prepare high-quality material for reference of all teachers and principals and issue guidelines for schools to handle cases of abuse in a supportive environment for children. The Delhi Government has set up an enquiry committee to probe into the alleged sexual