Amid growing public outrage over the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls at a school in Badlapur, Maharashtra School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar addressed the media on Tuesday, stating that ‘Vishakha Committees’ will now be established in all schools across the state. These committees, mandated by the Supreme Court’s landmark ‘Vishakha’ judgment, are designed to handle complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace and will provide a crucial platform for students, particularly girls in standards 9th, 10th, and junior college, to raise their grievances.

Kesarkar warned that strict action will be taken against schools if CCTV cameras, which are already mandated by a government resolution, are found to be non-functional. In the case of the Badlapur school, where the two girls were allegedly abused, it was found that the CCTV cameras were not operational, leading to immediate repercussions. A notice has been issued to the school, and the principal, along with several teachers and two assistants, has been suspended pending further investigation.

The minister also stressed the importance of complaint boxes in schools, which were previously introduced to encourage students to report issues discreetly. He urged principals to ensure that these boxes are regularly checked and that any concerns raised by students are addressed promptly.

Additionally, Kesarkar mentioned that a review meeting was held earlier this year with education officials to ensure the proper formation of ‘Sakhi Savitri Committees’—another initiative aimed at safeguarding students in schools. If it is found that the Badlapur school failed to form such a committee, further action will be taken against the institution. This incident has prompted the government to take a closer look at school safety measures and reinforce the importance of creating a secure environment for all students.

Source: PTI

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