Baramulla, Sep 08: A major controversy has erupted at Government Higher Secondary School in Shutloo Rafiabad area of Baramulla, with parents and civil society members alleging that a teacher was involved in indecent WhatsApp chats with female students.
The teacher, identified as Owais Nanda, a resident of Baramulla, has been suspended by the school administration following the allegations.
A group of civil society members and parents rushed to the school a few days ago after it came to light that a teacher was involved in indecent chats with female students of the school.
The civil society members from the Shutloo village told Rising Kashmir that they received a call from the Principal of HSS Shutloo, informing them that a male teacher was found involved in indecent chats with female students. They said the teacher has been involved in obscene texting with female students of the school.
“A female teacher had confiscated a mobile phone from a female student and inquired about it. She found some indecent chats with the male teacher of the same school and reported it to the Principal,” a civil society member said.
One of the members from Shutloo, Manzoor Ahmad, said that they drafted a memorandum after holding talks with the Principal of the school and a copy of the memorandum was also submitted to the district administration and education officer. “We hope they will take strict action against the accused teacher,” he said.
“This is the height of indecency that a teacher, who is a nation builder, whose job is to teach moral values to students and assist them in achieving heights, is sharing obscene and indecent chats with female students. This teacher should be terminated from the job,” Ahmad added.
Mudassir Ahmad Bhat, a parent whose two daughters are studying in the school, told Rising Kashmir that strict action should be taken against the culprit, or else it will set a trend and boost the morale of such culprits.
The civil society of Shutloo appealed to Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar, SSP Baramulla and CEO Baramulla to take strict action against the accused and requested his termination.
In an order with the reference number Ceo/Bla/Estt/T/131104-08, dated 31-08-2023, the Chief Education Officer of Baramulla states that pending an inquiry into the matter, Mr Owais Ahmad Nanda, a teacher presently posted at HSS Shutloo, is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect.
“During the period of suspension, the said official shall remain attached to the office of the Principal at BHSS Sopore,” the order copy reads.
Meanwhile, the Chief Education Officer of Baramulla stated that a complaint had been received against the teacher, and he was suspended. “Last week, I received a WhatsApp chat from staff against the male teacher painted at HSS Shutloo. Immediate action was taken against him, and he was attached to Boys HSS Sopore pending further action, which will be decided after examining the legal issues,” he said.
The CEO also mentioned that a committee headed by ADC Baramulla has been constituted, which includes the members of the education department, officials from the DC office, and a few civil society members.
They will examine all the issues and submit a report within a stipulated time, he said, adding that strict action will be taken against the teacher if found guilty by the committee.
