A British national who was sacked as headmaster of Trio World School, Bengaluru on Sunday, was accused not once but four times of sexual harassment all through last year but school authorities failed to take action against him, Nina P. Nayak, chairperson of the Karnataka Child Rights Commission alleged on Monday.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Ms Nayak said the last complaint made against the former headmaster Dr Paul Francis Meekin came from the mother of one of Meekin’s victims, who reported the case to the police on Friday and also approached the Karnataka Child Rights Commission.
The commission has taken cognizance of the case and issued a notice to Trio World School to appear before the Commission on Friday (January 27).
The school has much to answer for, Ms Nayak said, adding that as many as four students have made formal complaints against the former headmaster. The presence of an alleged paedophile on the school campus was brought to light by a student who quit the school last month citing sexual harassment by the headmaster.
Three other students, including a 10-year-old victim, had reported abuse by Mr Meekin and other teachers, who reportedly beat children on their bottoms and allegedly 'misbehaved' with them, said the complaints submitted to the school authorities. Neither the headmaster nor the other culprits were investigated, Ms Nayak noted.
One of the students, an US citizen quit the school in December, citing abuse by the school staff. He is the son of the school’s Physical Education instructor. The mother-son duo left for the US early this month. On December 14, 2011, the mother had submitted a detailed complaint to the school administration, but no action was taken, the mother claimed.
On January 9, the student wrote a letter and distributed 200 copies of it among his schoolmates in which he graphically describes the chilling details of the abuse including being forced to stay overnight in Mr Meekin’s chambers.
Appealing to his schoolmates 'not to keep silent', the student’s complaint mirrors the three earlier ones submitted to the school authorities.
Meekin’s Facebook profile
“Please know that I will remove anyone from my Facebook list who uses foul, insulting or inappropriate language. I have a number of young students on my Facebook and I am unwilling to have them read such comments.”
“I sincerely believe that education – in whatever capacity (teacher, trainer, school leader or administrator) – is in fact a vocation to which you are called. A good education – which I would define as one enabling a student to achieve beyond his or her own expectations - is the right of every child, regardless of financial, social, cultural or geographic circumstances.”
“The students remain at the centre of my every day and every decision, whether operational or strategic, and the development and growth of my teachers (colleagues, peers, subordinates) both as individuals and as a team - is the fundamental key to continuous improvement of the quality and standard of education that is being provided.”
Management of Trio World
“We are deeply shocked and saddened to state an unfortunate incident in which on Friday, January 20, 2012, a parent approached the school administration with a complaint that the headmaster, Dr.Paul Meekin, was allegedly having inappropriate chatting sessions with a pupil.
"The management immediately convened an emergency meeting and decided to suspend him from his current responsibilities pending investigation. Thereafter, a police investigation was initiated and we have extended full cooperation to it . Trio World School is appalled by the turn of events and once again reiterates that the management will not tolerate any such issue even if it is a mere allegation and will not spare any effort to get to the bottom of it and ensure to uphold the high standards maintained by the institution.
"The management has already initiated various steps to address any concerns of the students and parents. We wish to state that the school academics will not be affected and regular classes will go on as per schedule.”
Other cases of abuse
* A prestigious international school's bus cleaner was accused of abusing children on the bus and the school decided to investigate it
* A 54 -year- old Hindi teacher at a private school in Bengaluru South was suspended last year after students complained that he frequently passed lewd comments and touched the girls inappropriately. The matter has been reported to the Child Rights Commission.
* A teacher in a rural government school was transferred to another school after it was alleged that he sexually harassed his students, but no other action was taken.
* Not too long ago, a sports instructor at a city club was accused of sexually abusing his students.
* Last year, an expat principal was bundled out overnight by an international school after an incident of child abuse came to light.
