Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Dec 20: Cases of sexual harassment by teachers have been making headlines these days. The block education officer of this taluk suspended the headmaster of Airabail government lower primary school near Siddapur in the taluk on Monday December 19, for sexually harassing students.

On Monday the local people had held a protest in front of the school, alleging that the headmaster of the school, Srinivas Joshi, has been sexually abusing the students. The block education officer visited the school, held prolonged inquiry, and suspended the headmaster. It is said that the headmaster used to call the girls to his room, make them to take a vow in the name of the God not to reveal what he had done with them to their parents, duly threatening them that the God will punish their parents by way of death and insanity if they fail to keep their vows.

During the visit, the officer, Gopal Shetty, obtained statements from six parents and eight girl students, before suspending the concerned. He said that the headmaster was suspended as the charges leveled against him by the people were found to be prima facie true.

Out of 31 students of this school, 20 are boys. It is gathered that the lady teacher, the only other teaching staff, was not aware of the headmaster’s activities. The parents said that the lady teacher has been efficient and maintains good relationship with the parents of students.

School development and monitoring committee president, Bhskar Kulal, former taluk panchayat member, Haddur Rajeev Shetty, cooperative agricultural bank president, Chandraprakash Shetty, and over 150 locals were present during the visit of the bock education officer.