In an inquiry that was completed on Monday, the commission headed by Samira Kazi concluded that the errant headmistress committed acts unbecoming of the school headmistress and has rendered herself liable for severe punishment. “…disciplinary action should be initiated against the headmistress or else she should be removed from the said school and her services should be terminated,” the order reads. Afonso has been booked for ill-treating the students to such an extent that she allegedly forced one student to clean the toilet. The issue has been going on since March with education department even suspending her visit to the school till further action.
The commission observed the inquiry report submitted by the education department contains ‘innumerable deficiencies, infirmities and illegalities.’ The panel is in receipt of voice recording of witnesses who have spelt out details of the alleged harassment by the headmistress. “All these witnesses have deposed that the headmistress was abusing with filthy words referring to them as SC/ST/OBC causing them embarrassment and has even punished them by asking them to wash the toilets and giving them corporal punishment,” the inquiry further states, quoting testimony of some affected students and parents.
The headmistress, who deposed before the inquiry panel after initially failing to respond to various summons, rubbished allegations and even produced three witnesses in her support. GSCPCR however raised strong doubts on their statements. “On close scrutiny, it is absolutely clear that the witnesses have not told the truth and have deposed under the influence of the respondent,” Kazi said as the order copy has been forwarded to the education secretary, education dept and others concerned for action.
