ISLAMABAD: The Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) on Friday suspended a college teacher who was accused of sexually harassing students from Bahria College during a recent practical examination.

Director General Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) Hasnat Qureshi told Dawn that CADD also ordered the FDE to conduct an inquiry against the teacher under the Protection of Women against Harassment at Workplaces Act 2010 within seven days.

Many underage students of the college reported that they had been sexually harassed by the invigilator at their biology practical.

The students took to social media to report the alleged harassment by the invigilator, a lecturer at the Federal Postgraduate College, H-9.

In a complaint lodged with the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) on May 28, Bahria College Principal Iqbal Javaid stated: “It is reported with serious concern that [the accused], who conducted practical examination on 24, 26 and 27 May, sexually harassed a number of students during practical examination (trying/touched their private parts). The students were worried about their practical marks and were afraid to lodge direct complaint against the examiner so they registered their complaint with the teachers and admin staff.

“It is requested that strict disciplinary action may please be taken against the sick individual and he be barred from such duties in future. In addition, for future, lady practical examiner may please be given preference for their girl students to avoid recurrence of such incidents.”

Meanwhile, there were reports that the principal of the college has also been transferred.

When contacted, a spokesman for Navy neither denied nor confirmed the transfer of the principal.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2018