Modern High admits indecency case in past

Modern High run by Gems, has admitted that there has been a previous case of indecency on the bus. Lately, the school has been in the news after the rape of a four-year old pupil from its kindergarten section.
 
In one of the emergency meetings with parents’ representatives, after being questioned whether any untoward incident had happened in the past, the principal admitted that this was true.

In the circular which outlines the minutes of this meeting, “the principal told the representatives that there was one [such] incident, two years ago where the conductor was alleged to have touched a girl inappropriately. The conductor was handed over to the police and the case was taken to court where a judge acquitted the conductor and even asked him if he wanted to file a defamation case. The conductor, however, chose not to and returned to his homeland.”

The parent representative also questioned the authenticity of an email circulating on the web, which states the father of the student [of the four-year old girl] in question had accused the principal of advising him not to file the case with the police. However, this allegation was denied and the “principal placed on record that the first time he spoke to the parents of the child was after they had filed a complaint with the police on the 9th of January. When the principal called the father that day, he informed the principal, that he was at the police station and that the complaint had been made,” reads the circular.

Meanwhile, the school has stated that it is taking all steps to ensure the safety of the children on the buses and within the school compound. The decision of putting teachers on the buses had calmed many nerves but now the school is admitting that this is becoming increasingly difficult as most teachers are over-stretched with work. In another circular, the school has appealed to parents for help.

“Despite preparing for all these events our teachers have also volunteered to be on the buses but it is becoming increasing difficult to continue. We have looked at all possibilities: clubbing routes, clubbing pick-up and drop-off points to make it convenient for parents and children etc. These are all interim arrangements while we source and recruit female conductors for the future. Considering all these constraints, at this point in time, we would like to avail of the generous offer of many of our parents to help us supervise the routes in the larger interest of our students.

“We would like to appeal to parent volunteers (mothers) to help us tide over this time until we get female attendants in place. The idea is that there will be adult supervision for the pick-up of the first 5 children and the drop-off of the last 5 children on all the buses. (There is an immediate requirement for the morning trips, and also for the noon return trip and the 2pm return trip.),” said the circular.

Also See:

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Established schools under pressure, says Varkey

School first to blame for rape of four-year old: Deputy Police Chief

Rapist lured student with chocolate, say parents

Attendance system on school bus flawed

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