dailyO
Variety

Shame on this pathetic school for shutting its door on its student, a rape survivor

Advertisement
DailyBite
DailyBiteApr 28, 2017 | 17:43

Shame on this pathetic school for shutting its door on its student, a rape survivor

What is rape? Ask this question in India and the most likely answer that you would get is — shame.

A private school in Delhi has allegedly asked the parents of a Class 10 student, a rape victim, not to send her to school as it would bring shame to the institute.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has issued a notice to the education department based on a complaint of the parents.

Advertisement

What's more, the school has also warned the parents that the victim will be "promoted" to Class 11 only if she stops coming to school.

While the parents have alleged "gross insensitivity" behind the decision, the problem lies with the entire education system and a society that looks at rape as a matter of shame, and not as a crime — and the victim is held responsible for it.

The minor girl who is a victim of a violent crime is being further victimised for a crime that has been perpetrated on her.

Even though the Hindustan Times in its report said it couldn't get a reaction from the school because its name is not being revealed (by the DCW to protect the identity of the girl), it's not just one school, but the entire system that is responsible for such violation of rights and is answerable to the girl and her parents.

“The school administration feels that the name of their school will be spoiled if the victim comes to school every day. The school also said that the administration would not take any responsibility  for the girl’s safety,” the parents have reportedly said in their complaint to the DCW.

Advertisement

rape_042817053642.jpg
The minor girl who is a victim of a violent crime is being further victimised for a crime that has been perpetrated on her.

What makes the school authorities feel they can deny a student her right to attend school (and thereby right to education)?

Has the victim not gone through enough mental trauma (apart from the physical violation) already that the school principal is forcing her to study in isolation?

The girl was kidnapped, raped and then thrown out of a moving car.

The school administration, according to the same news report, has been accused of harassing the girl so that she quits on her own. The parents have alleged that the principal is not even allowing the victim’s friends to sit next to her.

What kind of pressure tactics are these to deny a child her right to education?

How can any school not allow its student to use the school bus service, forcing her parents to pick and drop their daughter from the school?

The principal and all other authorities of the school are a victim of the same sick mentality that considers rape a taboo and, therefore, a matter of shame. Something to be kept under wraps and not reported. The ostracisation of rape victims is being institutionalised by such schools.

Advertisement

Although we can't make sweeping generalisation that all schools would have arrived at a similar decision under same circumstances, the insensitivity of the particular school mirrors the ignorance of an entire society and country, where education has failed to impart any life lessons.

Delhi schools have been infamous for its resistance to sex education and the importance of it to prevent violent crimes like rape and other physical violations.

A report on sexuality education in India by the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights had earlier noted that “most schools, including private and public-affiliated state boards of secondary education, don’t have any form of sexuality education in their curricula".

The Adolescence Education Programme (AEP) launched by the government in 2005 ran into trouble with state governments and didn’t quite take off.

Political parties in India too have always been opposed to sex education, exposing their own ignorance and prejudices.

Sample this: In a vision document for education in Delhi schools that the BJP's Harsh Vardhan had prepared in the run-up to the last Assembly elections, he had said “So-called sex education (is) to be banned”.  

It is unbelievable that while activists across the world say rape culture can be curbed by open dialogue about sex, our schools are yet to open up to basic sex education which addresses concerns like teen pregnancy.

Most children in India aren't aware about sexual assault because it's never been addressed, especially in schools.

At most, what we teach our children is that sex is a taboo and abstinence is the only way of living, until one is married. As a result, issues of consent, sexual violence and gender were never given any importance.

The fact that rape culture is prevalent, if not thriving, and has a gross impact is because of our mindset about rape and who really is to be blamed for it.

The private school instead of helping the victim lead a normal life is forcing her into isolation. Don't they realise that it is especially important for young boys and girls to engage in discussion about sex and sexual violence because they are raised in a culture where sex is viewed as a taboo and rape as a means to punish the weaker section.

Why should such schools and teachers not face legal actions for denying a child her education, her dignity and a normal life? It is such schools and principals that deserve expulsion.

Last updated: April 30, 2017 | 15:06
IN THIS STORY
Please log in
I agree with DailyO's privacy policy