Former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam once wrote, "If a country is to be corruption-free and become a nation of beautiful minds, there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are -- the father, the mother and the teacher". A good teacher is like a candle that consumes itself to light the way for others. On Tuesday, while students across the State stand up to salute their teachers and honour them with roses, sweets, song and dance, the horrendous memories of a few tainted educators who transgressed into betraying this noble profession would come as a damper, leaving a blemish on the hallowed teacher-student relationship.
Sexual harassment of students has been making headlines recently, triggering a wave of anger and hate across the State. Two successive cases against students have cast a shadow, throwing severe questions about the vulnerability and security of students. In Fatorda, Quepem, a Physical Education teacher at a government high school, was arrested on charges of sexual harassment against a student. Seven other students came forward to complain that the same teacher behaved inappropriately during the skipping rope activity earlier. In another case, a Physical Education teacher from a Marcaim school was booked for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old student. Here, too, parents alleged that the school failed to act on the five complaints made earlier against the teacher. At Goa University, an assistant professor was booked for sexual assault against a student, and the investigations were in progress.
The sexual harassment cases of students by teachers have cast a shadow over the teaching fraternity. The incidents have violated the teacher-student relationship and rendered students defenceless against such crimes. The need here is prompt justice and deterrents, and for that to happen, we need a robust and proactive mechanism for redressing student issues.
It appears from recent cases that institutes have not been able to troubleshoot sexual harassment cases or allegations in a timely and appropriate manner. The school management has not been showing sensitivity to such issues. The Supreme Court, in its recent order, has asked Goa University to revisit the investigation into earlier sexual harassment by a professor because the probe itself was flawed.
Sexual abuse or harassment can have a long-term impact on the minds and bodies of students and create a massive barrier of distrust with the teacher. There is an ardent need to put protocols in place to maintain the sanctity and security of learning. School management and the Education Department have a role beyond imparting education here.
Perhaps invoking cases of sexual misconduct against students may not be a topic of discussion on Teacher's Day. However, it is undoubtedly a moment to resolve and stamp out all the black sheep in the pack so that students find comfort and security at the institutes they study.
In all sincerity, Teacher's Day is a day to uphold and honour the thousands of teachers and educators who have endured challenges, ignited candles of hope and paved the way for ordinary students to rise as extraordinary persons. Happy Teacher's Day.
