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According to tehsil councillor Safdar Khan, two girls, Hajra* and Nomana,* students of grade four at Government Primary School (GPS) for Boys in Bandi Sehran village, told their parents their teacher Tariq harassed them sexually during recess. The village has no primary school for girls; all students study at the GPS for Boys.
When the parents took the matter to the headmaster, Shahid Mehmood, nothing was done as he tried to conceal the issue.
Safdar then informed the district nazim who ordered an enquiry into the matter and immediate transfer of the accused teacher from his current school.
When contacted for comments, Assistant District Education Officer (DEO) Asif Khan confirmed Tariq had harassed both the girls. He said on the directives of district nazim Adil Islam, the DEO had transferred the teacher from the school and initiated an enquiry against him.
Asif, who is responsible for the investigation, said, “I have recorded the statements of the victims, their parents, classmates as well as other teachers and the remaining work will be completed within a week.” He said the submission of the report will decide the future of the accused. “He will either face suspension or termination from service.”
During 2013, a similar complaint was lodged against a teacher from GPS No 4. The male teacher was transferred to another school without any major punishment.
*Names have been changed to protect identities
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2015.
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