Nearly 35 per cent of recorded cases of teacher misconduct in Assam over the past four years involve sexual abuse, pointing to a disturbing trend that has raised concerns over student safety and accountability in schools.
Official records show that between 2023 and 2026, at least 30 cases of misconduct were reported across the state. Of these, 35 per cent involved alleged sexual offences booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, while around 30 per cent related to verbal intimidation. The remaining cases included coercion and misuse of authority within classrooms.
Experts caution that these figures may represent only a fraction of the problem, as many incidents go unreported. In several instances, matters have allegedly been settled informally between school authorities and parents, preventing formal legal action.
The issue has come under sharper focus following a recent case at Maharishi Vidya Mandir in Silchar, where a senior teacher has been accused of multiple forms of misconduct, including verbal abuse, physical assault and coercion to enrol in private tuition classes. The teacher is also alleged to have threatened students by referring to a 2023 suicide case linked to denial of an exam admit card, causing psychological distress.
Taking note of the incident, the National Human Rights Commission has sought an Action Taken Report from the state’s Education Department, as well as the district administration and police in Cachar.
The Silchar case adds to a series of incidents reported in recent years. In 2022, a teacher in Kamrup district was suspended for allegedly sexually abusing a minor. In another case the same year, a teacher in Pathsala faced action after an audio clip of alleged harassment went viral. Similar allegations have surfaced from Morigaon, while in September 2024, a teacher in Bilasipara in Dhubri district was arrested under POCSO, triggering protests.
Also read: Gauhati HC bans buffalo fights across Assam
More recently, a government school teacher in Cachar was arrested for allegedly molesting an 11-year-old girl within school premises. In Guwahati, an assistant teacher was suspended earlier this year following complaints of abusive language, while a private tutor in Kokrajhar was sent to judicial custody under POCSO for alleged misconduct with minor students.
Child rights activists say the recurring nature of such cases points to systemic gaps. Subir Roy, a child rights activist, said, “Classroom misconduct is an alarming problem nowadays which mostly goes under reported. It is the need of the hour that every school must have their own child safeguarding policy, which should be strictly followed.”
He added, “The teachers should be trained on the child protection laws and at the same time, periodical sessions on child rights need to be conducted to make them aware about the reporting procedures.”
Activists have also suggested practical measures such as installing suggestion boxes in schools and appointing independent committees to review complaints and report to district authorities.
Another child rights advocate said, “Framing classroom misconduct as a human rights issue and following it up must be given top priority. The onus is on the authorities to introduce effective systemic reforms.”
Follow us
