CHANDIGARH, July 24
Acting swiftly on a complaint of inappropriate behaviour and intimidation of 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 on the directions of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains after the District Education Officer (Secondary), Moga, submitted a preliminary inquiry report.
According to the complaint, girl students of Classes VI and VIII alleged that the teacher made inappropriate physical contact with them and threatened to fail them in examinations if they revealed his misconduct.
Expressing serious concern over the incident, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the Punjab Government places the highest priority on the safety, dignity and well-being of every child studying in government schools.
He said, “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 his authority to intimidate or harm children. A time-bound inquiry has been ordered, and the strictest action will be taken if the allegations are found to be true.”
watch…..ਦਿੱਲੀ ਘਟਨਾਕ੍ਰਮ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੋਧ ‘ਚ 25 ਜੁਲਾਈ ਨੂੰ ਜਲੰਧਰ ਧਰਨੇ ਲਈ ਕੇਂਦਰੀ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਲੇਖਕ ਸਭਾ ਦਾ ਸੱਦਾ
The Education Minister reiterated that the School Education Department is committed to providing a safe, secure and child-friendly environment in every government school across Punjab. He added that any complaint related to the safety and security of students will be addressed promptly and with utmost seriousness.
During the suspension period, 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 attendance daily until further orders.
