LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has ordered constitution of a special committee to probe into the alleged harassment of girl students of a private school in Lahore.

According to official sources, the committee will be notified on Tuesday (today) morning.

The chief minister said the elements found guilty in harassing students would be brought to book. Meanwhile, Punjab Minister for School Education Dr Murad Raas has said the government will include anti-harassment clauses to the private schools and teachers licence acts.

He was addressing the participants in a meeting with Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Chairperson Sarah Ahmad to discuss the sexual harassment case at a private school.

The minister and CPWB chairperson agreed to make joint efforts against harassment at schools and vowed to take strict action against those involved in it.

Minister promises required legislation

Dr Raas said the school education department was working to bring a law in private schools to stop harassment and would also include anti-harassment clauses to the teachers’ licence act. He said the teachers and administration of the Lahore Grammar School (LGS) were missing and not facing the problem or replying to the officials working on the sexual harassment cases.

“We will not allow them to hide and strict action will be taken over it,” he maintained.

The minister said the teachers who were involved in sexual harassment cases would not be allowed to teach anywhere and if any of them was employed at any other school he would personally take strict action over it.

“Those involved in harassment did not have any place in our society,” he added.

Ms Ahmad said that they approached police to lodge a case against the teachers involved in harassment at LGS. The case was registered and action should also be taken against the administration for remaining silent over the issue.

She said the school education department and CPWB will work together to provide a safe environment to children in schools to continue their education.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2020