Bokaro News: School Principal Accused of Harassment by Female Teachers, Investigation Underway

Bokaro, December 13, 2024: In a concerning development, four female teachers from the DVC Senior Secondary School in Bokaro Thermal have filed a written complaint against the school principal, Dhananjay Kumar, alleging mental harassment and misconduct. The complaint, addressed to DVC’s DGM Administration, B.G. Holkar, has triggered the formation of an investigation committee to probe the allegations.

Allegations Against the Principal

The teachers, Vibha Sinha, Asha Kumari, Isha Kumari and Shobha Pandey have accused the principal of creating a hostile work environment. According to the written complaint, Kumar allegedly summons female teachers to his office without valid reasons, uses inappropriate language and behaves in an intimidating manner.

The complainants further allege that Kumar stares at them inappropriately and exerts undue pressure in the presence of students. While male teachers reportedly remain idle, female teachers are instructed to handle six periods in a day. The complaint also highlights that the principal’s behavior towards male teachers is courteous, while his conduct with female staff is marked by rudeness and disrespect.

The teachers expressed feeling unsafe and uncomfortable at the workplace, which they claim has adversely impacted their ability to focus on teaching responsibilities.

Formation of Investigation Committee

Responding to the complaint, B.G. Holkar, DGM Administration, issued an official order (Letter No. 918) to establish a three-member investigation committee comprising female officials from DVC.

The committee members include:

The committee began its inquiry on Friday, visiting the school to question staff members regarding the allegations. A day earlier, the committee had also interviewed the four complainants, asking them to submit detailed applications outlining their grievances.

Principal’s Response

When approached on Friday, Principal Dhananjay Kumar denied any knowledge of the allegations or the formation of the investigation committee. He refrained from providing further comments on the matter.

DGM’s Statement

Speaking to reporters, B.G. Holkar confirmed receiving the complaint from the female teachers and acknowledged the initiation of the investigation. He stated, “An investigation committee has been formed and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the report. The issue appears to reflect disciplinary concerns within the school.”

Investigation Progress

The investigation committee is expected to submit its report soon, which will determine the course of action. The case has garnered attention within the educational community, raising concerns about workplace safety and gender equity in academic institutions.