Ombudsperson sacks examiner accused of harassing girls at Bahria College Islamabad

The ombudsperson against harassment of women at workplace, Kashmala Tariq, on Tuesday ordered the sacking of a college professor accused of harassing and molesting female students at Bahria College Islamabad.

“The professor’s contract with the varsity is to be terminated, and a fine of Rs200,000 is to be imposed on him,” read the order, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com.

Scores of women studying at Bahria College Islamabad had taken to social media in May to report being sexually harassed and molested by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE)-appointed examiner while they were appearing for their Intermediate examinations.

The demands for action against the accused were initiated by one of the students of the college, A*, who came forward to call out the predator, saying she was touched inappropriately by him twice during an exam at the college on May 24.

A* had said that her teacher was also shocked and knew about the incidents, but she did not take any immediate action.

Several other anonymous testimonies had followed about the harassment and molestation of students during biology practicals conducted over three days — May 24, 26 and 27 — at Bahria College, Islamabad.

The ombudsperson has directed the college to retake the practical exam during which the incidents had occurred. The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and FBISE have also been directed to arrange for “psycho-social” counselling for the girls affected by the incident.

Moreover, the college teacher who had failed to take action against the external examiner will also be issued a disciplinary warning over her failure to act against the predator.

“The biology department’s head will be issued a disciplinary warning letter, and Inspector-General police Islamabad must form an investigation team for legal action,” read the ombudsperson’s order.

Source: Dawn News