Srinagar, Jun 30: The Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Srinagar, has ordered the transfer of the principal of a top Srinagar school after finding serious lapses in the institution’s handling of a child protection matter, while directing a comprehensive overhaul of its safeguarding framework and institutional response mechanisms.
In a detailed 16 page order, a copy of which lies with Alfaaz – The Words, the Committee held that the school administration failed to discharge its statutory duty of care by ensuring timely reporting, intervention and implementation of child protection measures after allegations of bullying, intimidation and sexual misconduct involving two students surfaced.
The Committee observed that although the school later conducted an internal inquiry and initiated certain remedial measures, these steps were taken only after the Committee had intervened. It concluded that significant deficiencies existed in the institution’s child protection and safeguarding mechanisms, resulting in inadequate identification, reporting and management of child protection concerns.
After examining the complaint, statements of the parents of both children, the school’s written response, the internal inquiry report, counselling reports and the Social Investigation Report, the Committee held that the matter called for institutional accountability while adopting a child centric and rehabilitative approach for both children.
The Committee directed the competent authority managing the Srinagar school to transfer the principal and stipulated that he must undergo certified training in child rights, child protection laws, safeguarding standards and mandatory reporting before being assigned charge of any educational institution or its branch.
The order also directs the school management to strengthen its Child Protection Policy, establish robust complaint and monitoring mechanisms, conduct an independent institutional inquiry into similar incidents, ensure mandatory reporting of child protection cases and impart structured training to all staff associated with student welfare.
The Committee further ordered continued counselling and rehabilitation for both children, directed that their education continue in a safe and non discriminatory environment, and asked the school authorities to submit a compliance report within 15 days, failing which action may be taken in accordance with law.
