Govt to make installation of CCTV mandatory in schools
Srinagar, May 18: Days after alleged sexual assault on a school girl at Chatterhama area of city outskirts, the government has decided to make installation of CCTVs in city schools mandatory.
As already reported, a girl (name withheld) enrolled at Government High School Chatterhama was sexually assaulted by allegedly by a teacher and peon.
An official said the incident happened more than a week ago and a case was registered at Police Station Zakura on May 7 of 2025.
A senior Police official told Greater Kashmir that the teacher and peon were under custody since May 7 of 2025.
"A case under FIR NO. 23/2025, under section 68,127 BNS, 5/6, 16 POSCO Act stands registered at the Police station Zakura and investigations are going on," the Police official said.
The incident has sent shock waves across the valley as the student has fallen prey to evil intentions of her teachers at the school.
The incident has raised questions over the safety of the students in the schools besides the trust imposed on the teachers.
"School is considered a second home for the students and teachers are treated as real guardians of the students. But the shameful Act has raised the big question mark on the credibility of the teachers," said Muhammad Rameez, a parent from Srinagar.
The incident has also started a debate on the social media wherein the netizens are demanding strict action against the teacher who has allegedly sexually assaulted the girl student of the school.
The incident took place in the first week of this month but was not reported till May 17.
The news however spread on the evening of Saturday May 17 sparking a debate on the education system in Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Minister for Education Sakina Itoo said they will make installation of CCTVs mandatory in schools, especially in Srinagar.
"We are trying to install CCTVs in schools to ensure safety of students while other measures will be ensured as well," Sakina Itoo told Greater Kashmir.
She, however, said that self-realisation among the teachers was more important than government action.
"When it comes to the noble profession of teaching, self realisation matters more than the measures taken by the government. The teachers should realise their responsibility and understand the level of trust parents imposed in them," she said.
The education minister said that a teacher sexually assaulting a student is beyond comprehension, and such "frustrated" individuals are a blot on the face of the department and the noble teaching profession.
"Department will act tough against such people and go to any extreme level but the question remains that teachers have to act sensibly and ensure that students feel safe in their hands," she said.
While the Police has taken immediate action in this case, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has also acted by shifting the whole staff of the institution.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) G N Itoo when contacted, said that the department has suspended the "two culprits"- teacher and the peon (chowkidar) while the whole staff of the school has been shifted.
This is not the first incident of sexual assault on a student in the schools, but such cases were reported from schools in past as well.
