Administration is strict in Janakpuri school case, Delhi government can take control over management
The Education Department has adopted a strict stance after a serious case of alleged sexual harassment of a three-year-old girl student came to light in a private school located in Janakpuri, Delhi. Regarding the matter, the Delhi government is considering taking control of the school management. According to sources, the Directorate of Education had issued a show cause notice to the school management on May 8 following allegations of serious negligence in the safety, care and adherence to rules of children. It was made clear that if a satisfactory reply was not given, strict action would be taken against the school. The notice had warned that in case of non-receipt of response or unsatisfactory situation, the recognition of the school could be canceled by taking action under the Delhi Education Act and Rules (DSEAR) and the government could also take control of the management.
According to officials, the school management was given three days to file its response, but despite the passage of the stipulated deadline, the Directorate of Education has not received any response. Sources say that on the basis of lack of response and alleged serious negligence in the safety of children, the department is now preparing to initiate disciplinary action against the school. In this, questions may also be raised on the recognition of the school and the process of taking back control from the management is being considered. Meanwhile, police investigation has revealed that the girl’s mother had lodged a complaint at Janakpuri police station on May 1. The complaint alleged that her daughter was allegedly sexually assaulted on April 30, the day after she joined the school. According to the police, taking immediate action in the case, a 57-year-old employee of the school has been arrested. The interrogation of the accused is ongoing and the police is investigating the entire incident.
Schools not serious about children’s safety?
The department says that the surveillance and monitoring systems required for the safety of children in the school were not sufficient. The notice also mentioned that proper arrangement of CCTV cameras was not found at sensitive places within the school premises, raising questions on the security arrangements. Furthermore, the education department has also alleged that nursery and pre-primary classes were being run by the school without permission from the administration from a separate private campus, located about a kilometer away from the main school building.
According to officials, no approval was taken for this separate complex, which falls in the category of violation of rules. The notice has sought a detailed response from the school management on staff recruitment process, CCTV recording, adherence to child safety policy, suspension of the accused employee, fire and building safety standards and the justification for running classes in a separate campus. The school was instructed to give this reply by Monday (May 11). However, as no response has been received till now, the department has started preparations for further disciplinary action.
The department had clarified that if a satisfactory response is not received within the stipulated time, the recognition of the school can be canceled and the government can take control of the management. It was also warned in the notice that considering the seriousness of the matter, a recommendation may be made to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to cancel the lease or allotment of the school land. According to officials, despite the passage of the deadline for the instructions given by the Directorate of Education, no response has been received from the school management till Monday afternoon. Officials monitoring the matter say that the department is now preparing to move forward in the direction of disciplinary action. This may include strict measures related to school recognition, operating rights and administrative controls.
Case registered under different sections
The police have registered a case under Section 64(1) of the Indian Justice Code (BNS) and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act in connection with the alleged sexual abuse. According to the police, the 57-year-old school caretaker was arrested on May 1 after the girl identified the accused. After this the accused was produced in the court, from where he was sent to judicial custody. However, despite strong opposition from the prosecution, on May 7 a Dwarka-based court granted bail to the accused. Police officials said that the investigation of the case is ongoing and the footage of CCTV cameras installed in the school premises is also being scrutinized so that all aspects related to the incident can be confirmed.
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