Schools are not just places for learning. They lay the foundation for children’s personality development, values, discipline, and a secure future. When parents send their children to school, they trust that teachers will not only impart knowledge but also ensure their child’s safety and dignity. But when, under the guise of this trust, a teacher molests, behaves inappropriately, or sexually harasses a student, it’s not just the child who suffers the consequences; the entire educational system is put on trial.
Reports of inappropriate behavior by teachers toward female students in schools have surfaced from time to time. The nature and facts of each incident may be different, so it’s unfair to blame someone based solely on an allegation. However, suppressing a complaint once it’s made, attempting to silence the girl, or delaying the matter to protect the institution’s reputation is an even more serious problem. The reputation of any school cannot be more important than the safety of its children.
The relationship between a teacher and a student is fundamentally based on trust. A teacher possesses both knowledge and authority. Students naturally value their teacher’s words and often consider them the most trustworthy adult after their parents. This is why, if a teacher abuses this trust and authority, it is difficult for a child to protest. During adolescence, children often cannot discern whether an adult’s behavior is normal or inappropriate. Fear, shame, social pressure, worries about exams and the future, and the fear of whether their voice will be believed can prevent them from complaining. Therefore, simply asking, “Why didn’t the child complain earlier?” is not enough. The real question should be: Has the school created a safe environment where the child can speak out without fear?
The most dangerous element in such cases is often silence. Many families, fearing social stigma, are reluctant to complain. Some suppress the matter, fearing that the child’s education will be affected. School administrations, too, may sometimes try to resolve the complaint internally, fearing a tarnished image of the institution. However, such silence can encourage abuse. If a child’s complaint is not taken seriously, it can send the message that the institution’s reputation is more important than her safety. This message is deeply concerning for any civilized society.
Therefore, parents, teachers, and school management must understand that filing a complaint is not a disgrace, but a step toward safety. Allegations should be investigated impartially, and if proven guilty, action should be taken in accordance with the law and institutional rules. The role of school administration should not be limited to taking action after an incident occurs. Security arrangements should be robust in advance. Proper verification of teachers and staff, a clear code of conduct, rules for dealing with students, and a secure complaint system are essential.
Schools should educate children about appropriate and inappropriate touch, how to recognize uncomfortable behavior, and how to report it to a trusted adult. This education should be provided not only to female students, but to all children. They should also be made aware that they are not responsible for any inappropriate behavior. Schools should have a complaint system where children can express their concerns without fear. The availability of female teachers, trained counselors, or other trusted adults can be crucial in this regard.
The POCSO Act, 2012, exists in India to protect children from sexual offenses. This law provides important protections in cases of sexual offenses against children under the age of 18. Schools and their staff must have a basic understanding of this law. It is not appropriate to suppress a serious complaint simply by considering it an “internal school matter.” Depending on the nature of the case, it may be necessary to inform and cooperate with the appropriate authorities. The purpose of the legal process is not only to punish the accused, but also to protect the safety, dignity, and rights of the victimized child.
Even today, after such incidents, questions are often raised in society about a girl’s behavior, clothing, time, friendships, or social media activities. This thinking is wrong and harmful. A girl’s clothing, her conversation, or her trust in a teacher does not give an adult the right to behave inappropriately. The responsibility lies with the person who abuses their position, age, and authority. Instead of scaring girls in the name of safety, they must be given confidence. They must be assured that if someone makes them uncomfortable, they can speak up without shame or fear.
Most teachers shape children’s futures with complete honesty and dedication. Therefore, it is unfair to tarnish the entire teaching community with the alleged or proven misconduct of a few individuals. However, this very reason increases teachers’ professional conduct responsibilities even more. Teachers have constant contact with children, so they must be especially mindful of boundaries and professional decorum. Schools should have clear rules regarding situations such as personal messages, inappropriate comments, unnecessary physical contact, or private conversations. Teachers’ behavior should reflect respect, equality, and security.
School administrations should send a clear message that any form of sexual or inappropriate behavior toward children is unacceptable. However, “zero tolerance” should not mean taking action against anyone without investigation. It truly means taking every complaint seriously, following a fair process, ensuring the safety of the child, and taking appropriate action based on the investigation’s findings. Upon receiving a complaint, the school should prevent any circumstances between the accused teacher and the student that could pressure the child or compromise her safety. Any attempt to influence the investigation, intimidate witnesses, or pressure them to withdraw the complaint should be taken seriously.
Parents also need to create an environment of dialogue with their children. If a child feels uncomfortable with the behavior of a teacher or other person, they should listen carefully instead of interrupting. Immediate blame or scolding may cause a child to hide their problems in the future. Parents should regularly ask their children about their experience at school, whether they are afraid or uncomfortable with anyone, and whether anyone is forcing them to do things they don’t like. The more comfortable the communication, the more readily children will be able to share their problems.
Today, teachers and students also connect through digital media. Online classes, messaging apps, and social media have made communication easier, but they have also brought new challenges. Schools should establish clear digital codes of conduct. Prioritizing institutional channels for official communication between teachers and students, prohibiting private and inappropriate conversations, and establishing clear mechanisms for preserving digital evidence are essential. Children should also be taught that if someone attempts to send inappropriate messages or conversations online, they should report them to a trusted adult instead of hiding them.
The media should also exercise sensitivity when reporting such incidents. Sensationalism, revealing the identity of the child, or presenting unverified allegations as fact can be detrimental to both justice and the victim. The media’s role is not only to highlight the incident but also to question the accountability of the system. Was the complaint heard? Is the child safe? Did the school follow due process? Was the investigation fair? Are institutional deficiencies being addressed to protect children? Such questions make public discourse more meaningful.
If guilt is proven, legal action is necessary, but punishment alone will not completely eliminate the problem. We must change the culture of schools. We must create an environment where children know they will be heard and teachers understand that their rights come with responsibilities. Every school should have a child protection policy, regular awareness programs, teacher training, a clear complaint process, and communication with parents. Students should be informed of their rights. School inspection systems should also expand beyond mere paperwork to examine actual safety standards. The incident of molestation or sexual harassment of a student in school is not merely a crime or a case of indiscipline. It is an attack on the very trust that parents rely on to send their children to school. Therefore, it is essential to treat every such complaint with seriousness, sensitivity, and impartiality. We should neither accept every allegation as true without investigation nor suppress every complaint for fear of defamation. The right path is to ensure the safety of the child, conduct an impartial investigation, take legal action if found guilty, and address institutional deficiencies.
A civilized society is defined by how safe it protects its children. A temple of education will only truly be called a temple of learning when it combines dignity with knowledge, compassion with discipline, and accountability with authority. The safety of children transcends the prestige of a school. Suppressing a student’s voice does not solve the problem, but rather deepens it.
(Dr. Priyanka Saurabh, PhD (Political Science), is a poet and social thinker.)
Harassment of girl students in schools
By: Dr. Priyanka Saurabh
