In the latest development regarding the allegations of sexual harassment leveled by students of Lahore Grammar School (LGS), CM Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar and Education Minister Dr Murad Rass have taken notice of the reports and sought a report into the matter from the departments concerned.
The District Education Authority (DEA) has also formed a three-member committee to probe the incident. The members will consist of officials from the School Education Department (SED) and senior teachers of public sector schools. According to the notification, Government Islamia High School Lahore Cantt Principal Ghayas Sabir will be the convener of the committee, while members Shahid Ali Shah and Sadia Naseem will be from the Deputy District Education Officer Model Town. The committee will present its recommendations to the DEA Lahore Chief Executive Officer within three days.
Earlier, the management of Lahore Grammar School, 1-A/1 branch, fired four employees including a teacher and support staff after some female students resorted to social media to raise a voice against purported sexual harassment. A number of female students narrated tales of how these staff members continued to harass students for years. They claimed that they had been facing harassment since 2016 and had filed numerous complaints to the management but to no avail. Some students even said they had to go as far as leaving the school to avoid harassment.
Chief Minister Buzdar has asked CCPO Lahore to investigate the allegations. He said harassment of students would not be tolerated and action against the accused would be taken per law. in a tweet, Education Minister Murad Rass said, “I will deal with the case in LGS 1A1 myself. I have talked to the principal this morning, getting all the details. These children are my children, I will protect them. This case will be brought to a proper conclusion according to law. Make no mistake about it.”
All Pakistan Private Schools Federation (APPSF) President Kashif Mirza has condemned the reports of harassment of students. “I Have taken notice of the harassment allegations. All Pakistan Private Schools Federation will support the victims and our helpline is available for complaints of such cases. Our regional offices also have been alerted to this issue.”
