In Karachi's Orangi Town, the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions Sindh (DIRPIS) has cancelled the registration of a private school following a complaint of sexual harassment against the school owner.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the incident involved a tenth-grade female student who was reportedly harassed by the school owner.
Upon receiving the complaint, the directorate formed an investigation committee to look into the matter. The committee's findings confirmed the harassment incident.
Based on the recommendations of the investigation committee, the directorate took strict action and revoked the school's registration.
According to the police report, the principal initially sent obscene messages to the student on her mobile phone. On June 1, he called her to his office, where he allegedly assaulted her. The principal is also accused of threatening to fail the student in her exams if she did not comply with his demands.
The FIR details that when the student entered the principal’s office, he tried to assault her but she managed to escape by kicking the principal in the abdomen.
Frightened by the principal’s violence and threats, the student did not report the incident immediately. The police have since arrested the accused and launched an investigation into the matter.
The DIRPIS is constantly monitoring the workings of private institutions throughout the province. To date, more than 1807 complaints of various natures against privately managed schools have been resolved.
Additionally, the Directorate has resolved 6076 complaints lodged through the Prime Minister’s Performance Delivery Unit (PMDU).
The functions of the Directorate include redressing the grievances of complainants, parents, and staff of private schools, as well as monitoring and assisting private institutions from pre-primary to college level.
Complaints regarding private schools can be lodged at any of the 29 district regional offices in Sindh using the designated online form.
Reporter: Aima Khan