BANGALORE: A recent circular by Vibgyor High school in Marathahalli has added to the prevailing concerns among parents over the safety of children.
Now, children under the supervision of a ‘shadow teacher’ must attend school along with them.
On July 30, the school issued a circular (VH40-CIRNO1007) to parents listing out various precautions they need to take regarding safety and security of their kids in school.
The fourth point in the circular states: “As per (school) counsellor’s recommendations, students under the supervision of a shadow teacher are advised not to come to school without the dedicated teacher.”
This clause has alarmed parents, many who are unaware of the concept of a shadow teacher.
These concerns are set in the context of a six-year old girl who was sexually abused in the school allegedly by staff members.
The circular further states that parents would be responsible for the background check of the shadow teachers. “(Background details) has to be submitted before August 31 to the school counsellor,” it says.
“Why do we have such teachers? What is the guarantee that the shadow teacher does not misbehave with other children in the school? Why does the school even allow someone who is not employed with them? If something goes wrong, then the school will happily put the blame on parents as we are responsible for their background checks,” said a concerned parent.
An unverified shadow teacher is not just a risk to that kid but to others as well, said another parent.
“The school cannot wash its hands off. What the school should do is ask the parent for evidence that background check was done and document it.”
According to Nagasimha G Rao, director, Child Rights Trust, shadow teachers cater exclusively to the needs of severely-disabled children.
“They are also known as escorts and they assist such children. Shadow teachers are required to have expertise in physical disabilities. The responsibility of their selection primarily rests with schools. Expecting parents to select them and also have their backgrounds checked by themselves is not right,” Rao said.
Candlelight March for Justice
Bangalore: This Saturday, concerned parents will assemble with candles in 24 different locations in a coordinated effort to demand justice for the six-year old girl who was sexually abused at Vibgyor High in Marathahalli.
Hundreds have confirmed their participation in the ‘Candle March for Justice’, on Facebook. “This time, every street, every lane of Bangalore will demand nothing less than complete justice. You need to step out this Saturday, between 8-9 pm, take your friends, relatives, neighbours, everyone you know to your nearest candle march centre and light a candle and demand justice. This time WE would be the ones giving out deadlines to give out the TRUE version of the case and arrest all the culprits within that date. They miss the deadline, one more march. WE won’t stop,” reads the event description on the social networking site.
Join the March, Light a Candle Here
Yelahanka (BWSSB office), Sahakarnagar (Children’s Park), Vidyaranyapura (8th Main Walking Track), Sanjaynagar (Jyothivana Park), Ganganagar (HMT Ground), Nandini Layout (Central Park), Rajajinagar (Ram Mandir Ground), Bommanahalli (Government School), R T Nagar (BDA Park), Banaswadi (OMBR Layout Park), Malleswaram (High Grounds Police Station), MG Road (Cubbon Park Meeting Point), Attiguppe (BHBCS Park), Lalbagh (West Gate), Indiranagar (Defence Colony Park), Marathahalli (Vibgyor High), Banashankari (Banagiri Park), Jayanagar (Walker’s Park), Adugodi (Police Grounds), BTM Layout (Tavarekere Park), HSR Layout (Sector 4 Park), Kumaraswamy Layout (Hoysala Ground and Park), JP Nagar (Millenium Park) and Sarjapur (Springfields Apartments).