Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday ordered the suspension of the vice-principal and teachers of a government school in northwest Delhi over their alleged failure to report to police the sexual assault of two boys by their classmates.
He also directed the Directorate of Education (DoE) to prepare high-quality material for the reference of all teachers and principals and issue guidelines for schools to handle cases of abuse in a supportive environment for children.
On the direction of the chief minister, Delhi Education Minister Atishi has written to the DoE to ensure rigorous training of all principals and teachers on the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, mandatory reporting, tools for early identification of abuse, types of abuse, the impact of abuse on children, and remedial measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
In her note to the DoE, the minister said it was a “deeply disturbing” act.
“It is especially worrying that the students had informed the teachers and the vice principal, but they did not bring it to the notice of the police or any higher authorities. Not only is this immoral, but it is also against the law. As per the POCSO Act, non-reporting of sexual abuse by any adult who is aware of the abuse is a criminal offence,” Atishi noted.
