Islamabad (Pakistan Desk): The Supreme Court has issued an important decision regarding the prevention of harassment incidents in educational institutions, stating that institutions where harassment is tolerated deviate from their fundamental educational purpose.
The court stated that students should not receive the message that the use of power can justify corruption or that silence is better than truth. According to the Supreme Court, sexual harassment of female teachers by fellow employees is a serious abuse and an unacceptable act.
The Supreme Court said that harassing female teachers is not only illegal but also a violation of law, ethics, human dignity, and respect at the workplace. Such actions harm the protection and self-esteem of the affected individuals.
The decision was issued by a two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali.
The court directed that every educational institution must have a clear anti-harassment policy and an effective system for forwarding complaints to senior authorities so that such incidents can be prevented in a timely manner.
The Supreme Court annulled the decision of the relevant tribunal and restored the five-year service forfeiture punishment imposed by the department. The court ruled that the appeal was filed after the prescribed period and was therefore rejected.
The court ordered that copies of the decision be sent to the Federal Minister for Education, chief secretaries of all provinces, secretaries of school and higher education departments, and federal and provincial ombudsmen so that effective measures can be taken to eliminate sexual harassment in educational institutions.
The Supreme Court directed the Ministry of Education to display a code of conduct against harassment at prominent locations in all educational institutions.
The court further stated that an internal inquiry committee should be established in every educational institution so that affected female teachers can directly register their complaints.
According to the Supreme Court, inappropriate comments, sexually suggestive jokes or messages, improper gestures, passing remarks, pressuring someone for unethical demands in exchange for job benefits, attempts at physical contact without consent, and creating an environment of fear or insecurity at the workplace are against the law and the dignity of the institution.
The court said that such behavior not only affects the dignity and safety of affected individuals but also damages the overall environment of the institution and creates unsafe conditions for female teachers.
It should be noted that harassment allegations had been made against Grade-17 officer Kamran Khan at the Government Special Education Centre Faisalabad.