January 20th, 2025 – GS4

You are the principal of a school located in a tier 2 city. One day the parents of a child  approached you complaining that their 4 year old girl has been sexually assaulted by one of the attendants in the school washroom. Considering it a very serious matter, you promptly raised the issue to the management. However they paid no heed to it considering it as a fabricated case to destroy the reputation of the school.

Two days later, the parents of another girl along with a local politician came with a similar complaint. While you were trying to get details of the matter, the news of the assault spread throughout the city. This led to widespread protests by the locals. To add fire to the scenario, the political parties also declared a bandh throughout the state. 

You decided to raise the matter again to the management, but again they asked you to remain silent as the reputation of the school was at stake. You requested them to constitute a committee to carry out a detailed enquiry into the whole matter, but to your surprise they straightaway denied it and instead asked to cover up the whole issue. They also offered to promote you to the management board and raise your salary, provided you handle the matter effectively.

1. What are the Ethical dilemmas faced by you in the above scenario?

2. Evaluate the options available to you in the given scenario.

3. What are the measures taken by the Government to prevent sexual offences against children? What additional steps can be taken to make the school environment safer for children?