52 teachers in state named accused in POCSO cases; Education Department initiates secret investigation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As many as 52 teachers are under suspension in the state after being slapped with POCSO charges for sexually harassing students. The Education Department's Vigilance wing has initiated a secret investigation to find out such individuals. Deputy Directors of Education have been entrusted with taking stringent actions against teachers found guilty of sexually harassing students.

Even if a police case is not registered, the information revealed by the child can be conveyed to the Deputy Director via the headmaster of the school. The matter should be investigated and action should be taken within 3 months. The action is as per Kerala Civil Service (Classification Control and Appeal).

The AEO is the investigating officer at the LP, UP level, while the DEO is the investigating officer at the High School level. If the AEO's report is not satisfactory, then the DEO will conduct a re-investigation and if the DEO's report is not satisfactory, then DD will conduct a re-investigation. Based on the report, a charge memo will be issued. Action will be taken only after hearing the defendant's side.

Children tend to open up about their unpleasant experiences to their parents and teachers. Teachers often seek the help of a counsellor upon noticing strange behaviour of students. It's often during counselling sessions that the sexual harassment comes to light. Upon receiving information about the sexual harassment, the accused teacher will be suspended from service. This measure aims to spare the child the psychological distress of facing the perpetrator again.

Three teachers are facing sexual harassment allegations in Thiruvananthapuram. One of them has been under suspension for two years. A physical trainer was arrested for sexually abusing a boy after inviting him to his residence. Yesterday, the police registered a case under the POCSO Act against a teacher on the complaint of sexually harassing 6 children in a school in Nemom. It is indicated that this teacher is in police custody.

Departmental action

A teacher accused of sexually abusing students can receive departmental punishments such as withholding salary for two years, cancellation of promotion, normal censure (warning), severe censure (noted in service book) and termination of service. The Deputy Director can award punishment action even in cases where the accused was set free by the court.