PUNJAB GOVT SUSPENDS TEACHER FOLLOWING COMPLAINT BY GIRL STUDENTS

Face2News/Chandigarh

Acting promptly on a complaint of inappropriate conduct and intimidation by girl students, the Punjab School Education Department on Friday suspended a Social Studies teacher posted at Government Middle School, Mothanwali village in Moga district. The action was taken following directions from Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains after a preliminary report submitted by the District Education Officer (Secondary), Moga.

Girl students of Classes VI and VIII alleged that the teacher subjected them to inappropriate physical contact and threatened to fail them if they disclosed his conduct.

Expressing deep concern over the incident, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the Punjab Government accords the highest priority to the safety and well-being of every child studying in government schools. “The safety, dignity and mental well-being of every student in Punjab’s government schools are non-negotiable. The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has zero tolerance for any teacher who misuses authority to intimidate or harm children. A time-bound inquiry has been ordered and the strictest action will be taken if the charges are proved,” said the Education Minister.

He reiterated that the School Education Department is committed to ensuring a safe, secure and child-friendly environment in every government school across the state, adding that any complaint involving the safety of students will be dealt with swiftly and firmly.

During the period of suspension, the accused teacher will receive a subsistence allowance as per the applicable service rules. His headquarters have been fixed at the office of the District Education Officer (Secondary), Moga, where he will be required to mark his presence daily until further orders.