Anjuna Police have reportedly registered a case against a teacher at a Higher Secondary School in Siolim following allegations of inappropriate touching and harassment of a 17-year-old student. According to the complaint, the student was also allegedly humiliated in front of classmates. In another disturbing incident, Mandrem Police registered an FIR against six teachers of a school in Harmal for allegedly assaulting a 14-year-old student over stationery requirements and subsequently wrongfully confining and abusing his mother on the school premises. These incidents raise an important question. Are our schools adequately equipped to protect children from abuse, intimidation and humiliation? Schools are meant to be safe spaces where children learn, grow and develop their personalities. Teachers are entrusted with the responsibility of nurturing young minds, guiding students and ensuring their physical and emotional well-being. It is high time the education authorities seriously considered installing CCTV cameras in classrooms, corridors and other common areas of schools. CCTV surveillance can help establish facts when complaints arise, protect students from misconduct and also safeguard teachers against false or exaggerated allegations. Protecting students is not optional. Their safety is vital and accountability must never be compromised.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
