Rising Incidents of Teacher Misconduct in Assam Schools
Escalating Teacher Misconduct Cases in Assam
File image of students in a classroom from a school in Assam (Photo: @airnewsalerts/X)
Guwahati, April 23: Instances of inappropriate behavior by educators in Assam have become increasingly common. Recent statistics reveal a troubling rise in such incidents, with approximately 35 percent involving sexual abuse.
From 2023 to 2026, at least 30 cases of teacher misconduct have been documented statewide, encompassing a range of issues from verbal abuse to sexual harassment. Of these, 35 percent were related to alleged sexual offenses prosecuted under the POCSO Act, while another 30 percent involved verbal intimidation, and the rest pertained to coercion or the misuse of authority in the classroom.
Experts warn that the reported figures likely underestimate the true scale of the problem, as many incidents go unreported until parents or activists step in. In numerous cases, school officials and parents have opted for informal resolutions instead of pursuing formal complaints.
The recent incident at Maharishi Vidya Mandir in Silchar has attracted significant media attention. A senior teacher is accused of wasting instructional time on irrelevant activities, using abusive language, physically assaulting students, and pressuring them to attend his private tuition classes. Alarmingly, he allegedly threatened students by referencing a suicide case from 2023 linked to the denial of exam admit cards, causing considerable psychological distress.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken notice of this situation, instructing Assam's Education Department, the District Magistrate, and the Cachar Superintendent of Police to provide an Action Taken Report.
This incident is part of a disturbing trend. In 2022, a teacher in Kamrup district faced suspension for allegedly sexually abusing a minor. That same year, a private school teacher in Pathsala was suspended after an audio recording of him sexually harassing a minor circulated online.
Another case emerged in Morigaon district, where a teacher in Bilasipara was arrested under POCSO for attempting to sexually harass a minor girl, leading to public protests.
A government school teacher in Cachar was also arrested for molesting an 11-year-old girl on school grounds. Earlier this year, an assistant teacher in Guwahati was suspended after students accused him of using inappropriate language. Additionally, a private tutor in Kokrajhar was placed in judicial custody under POCSO for indecent behavior towards minor girls during tuition sessions.
Experts express concern that these recurring incidents are undermining trust in Assam's educational system. Many students remain silent due to fear, and numerous cases only come to light after parental intervention. Child rights advocates assert that misconduct in classrooms is not just a disciplinary issue but a breach of fundamental human rights.
"Classroom misconduct is a pressing issue that often goes underreported. It is crucial for every school to implement a child safeguarding policy that is strictly enforced. Teachers should receive training on child protection laws, and regular sessions on child rights should be conducted to inform them about reporting procedures," stated Subir Roy, a child rights activist.
He suggested that schools could establish suggestion boxes as part of their remedial measures, with an external committee responsible for periodically reviewing the suggestions and reporting to the district education inspector.
"Addressing classroom misconduct as a human rights issue and prioritizing follow-up actions is essential. Authorities must introduce effective systemic reforms," another child rights activist, who wished to remain anonymous, emphasized.
"With numerous cases emerging in just four years and likely many more unreported, the challenge lies not only in holding offenders accountable but also in creating a safe and respectful environment where students can learn with dignity,” he concluded.