Schools want criminal checks on teachers

Schools hire private agencies to screen employees for cases of sexual abuse before recruitmentTaking a cue from the corporate world, a number of schools and educational institutes are now approaching security agencies to conduct background checks on their staff following the recent rise in the number of molestation and sexual abuse cases (see box).A national study of child abuse by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2007 says that 53.22 per cent said that they had suffered one or more forms of sexual abuse. Nearly 50 per cent of the abusers were people known to the child or in a position of responsibility.Darshan Shah, head of Strategic Assignments and Intelligence Bureau, said, In the last six months, there has been a rise in the number of educational institutions, especially big schools that request for background screening of employees they want to hire. Shameful: This five-year-old was raped by her Santacruz school watchman in January. Schools do not want a repeat of such incidents.He added, Institutes request for a criminal background check, previous employment history, educational qualification and residence verification.Raaj Talele, Raaj Detective Services, Goregaon, said, There are hardly any checks for security guards, as they are directly hired from agencies. However, institutes are now requesting checks on them as well as on teachers.Need of the hourFrancis Joseph, executive head operations and strategy for Ryan international schools, said, Our management has always screened teachers and office staff by contacting their previous work places. For bigger positions like principals, we have always had an agency screen them.With the rise in number of exploitation cases, such checks are mandatory before recruiting, said Joseph.Added Hanif Kanjera, director, Rustomjee Cambridge International School, Dahisar, We conduct background checks with the help of agencies before we recruit anyone in our school. We have been following this policy for a while now.Sin in schoolsJanuary 30: The watchman of a Santacruz (W) school allegedly raped a five-year old girl. The school did not take any action till he was arrested by the police four days later.April 25, 2009: Several minor girl students were allegedly molested by the owner of a school bus over a period of two months.March 7, 2008: P B Salvi, principal of King John High School, Bhandup, was arrested for allegedly molesting girl students in his institution.