Bengaluru: Parents of children studying in Deens Academy, Whitefield, where accused in the Vibgyor rape case Mustafa used to work earlier, have lashed out against the school for allegedly concealing the details of his “gross misconduct”.
The school management had also said, “There was no complaint against him either by students or parents." However, parents have now come forward, saying their children had complained about Mustafa’s abusive behaviour several times, but the school had refused to respond. With the police invoking the POCSO Act, the management of Deens Academy can be held liable under Section 21 – failure to report an offence.
A parent, Satish (name changed on request), posted details of the email correspondence between the principal and the other parents when Mustafa was sacked. Worried parents took out their anxiety and outrage against the school management for keeping such a sensitive issue under the wraps and for failing to mention the number of complaints made by parents.
“We complained twice to school authorities regarding the physical abuse of our child, like slapping, kicking, throwing basketball on the child's head,” said Satish. “But we never got any support from the school.” The school principal’s response, which came via email, went like this: “I would draw your attention to the fact that this could be their (children’s) perspective and may not be the complete version. I say this because I have investigated both incidents.”
Deens Academy Principal Shanti Menon had said that the parents were told the grounds of his termination. But parents said that “gross misconduct”, as mentioned in the school email, did not throw any light on the seriousness of the matter. When they enquired, the reply they received said, "There has been an official announcement from my end regarding this matter, to all parents at the time of the incident. It is the school's prerogative to keep details discreet in matters of its choice. I am sorry I will not be able to divulge these details.”
Deens Academy has put out two circulars to placate the angry parents, who have taken to social networking sites to vent their anger. Ms Menon’s lengthy post on the school’s Facebook page said, “Mustafa’s services were terminated on account of ‘gross misconduct’ – of altercations with senior staff of the School, not following policies, frequent angry outbursts, harsh language with children, pulling/holding a girl child by her hand, while teaching skating – all of which do not amount to acts that require a person to being turned over to the police! Moreover, none of these instances were registered as a complaint from a parent or a student, but only what his seniors and I had noticed/felt (my gut feeling). But these are definitely acts that the School does not condone. Misconduct and violation of its policies with regard to students and staff are serious offences from our view at Deens.”
