Synopsis
The Teachers Joint Action Committee in Chennai is urging a detailed investigation into POCSO allegations against exam invigilators, emphasizing the need for transparency and protection for both educators and students.Key Takeaways
- Teachers' associations are calling for investigations into POCSO allegations.
- Incidents of wrongful accusations against teachers have raised concerns.
- CCTV installation in exam halls is being proposed for transparency.
- Recent arrests highlight the need for fair treatment of educators.
- Protecting the rights and dignity of both students and teachers is crucial.
Chennai, March 27 (NationPress) The Teachers Joint Action Committee, made up of representatives from various educators' associations, is calling for a comprehensive investigation into recent allegations made under the POCSO Act against teachers serving in exam-related roles.
This demand comes in light of several incidents, including the detention of a 44-year-old instructor who was supervising the Class 12 public examination in Krishnagiri.
The teacher was taken into custody following accusations of misconduct from a student.
However, the associations argue that some educators are being unjustly accused of inappropriate behaviour merely for addressing instances of malpractice during examinations.
In light of these events, the committee has requested the School Education Department to implement CCTV surveillance in all examination rooms for Classes 10, 11, and 12.
The associations assert that the installation of cameras would promote transparency, protect both students and teachers, and aid in clarifying the facts surrounding such allegations.
R. Srinivasan, the State Legal Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Headmasters’ Association, emphasized the necessity of CCTV oversight.
He remarked that it would be unjust for teachers to be implicated for misconduct while merely fulfilling their duties, and insisted that a thorough investigation is essential to determine whether teachers are being falsely accused.
The Directly Recruited Post Graduate Teachers’ Association (DRPGTA) also expressed their views, denouncing the arrest in Krishnagiri as unwarranted and lacking sufficient evidence.
Notably, in another incident reported in Tirupur, a private school teacher, Sampath Kumar, was arrested under the POCSO Act on March 25.
He was performing invigilation duties at the government higher secondary school in Vengamedu, where students from both government and private schools were taking their Class 12 finals.
Reports claim that Kumar repeatedly examined six female students under the guise of searching for hidden cheating materials, resulting in allegations of inappropriate conduct.
In another case from March 18, Ramesh, a 44-year-old teacher from the Government Higher Secondary School in Vepanahalli, was arrested under the POCSO Act. He was supervising during the examination in Bargur when a female student accused him of inappropriate touching.
A second student from the same exam room made similar claims.
This incident was reported to the Bargur All Women Police Station, leading to Ramesh's questioning and arrest on March 19.
The teachers’ associations persist in their demand for impartial inquiries and enhanced preventive measures, underscoring the need to uphold the rights and dignity of both students and educators.
