MAO College student alleges teacher of sexual harassment

Government Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College’s female student has alleged a male teacher of sexual harassment.

The victim is a student of the psychology department in the MAO College, has reported the suspected harassment to the Punjab Colleges Assistant Director who was visiting the college, saying that a male teacher has been harassing her and another fellow student.

The victim claimed that “The teacher sent inappropriate messages and asked us to meet him outside the college’s premises if we want to get good marks.”

Whereas, the official asked the students to succumb a complaint to the college principal, upon which the students told him that they had already done so.

Replying to the student’s statement, the college principal said only one student had reported the suspected harassment and the rest of her companions were those who recorded their statements for the investigation.

A five-member inquiry committee, directed by a professor and two female teachers, was molded in reaction to the complaint, stated the principal.

The committee prepared a report that suggested that the accused teacher should be transferred to a boys’ college.

The proposition has been sent to the provincial education department.

Whereas, a report was sent to the education secretary under the Punjab Employees Efficiency Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act but no progress has been made in this regard.

On the contrary, an action besides the alleged harasser can be taken under the PEEDA Act in case the harassment is proved.

A previously similar incident was reported in MAO College back in 2019 when a lecturer was blamed for similar charges.

The lecturer was declared innocent in the inquiry but the principal did not issue a letter to confirm it.

Furthermore, as a result, the lecturer had committed suicide.