School Scandals Uncovered: Mumbai Parents Speak Out as Child Abuse Cases Rise

Mumbai: A Jan Jagran Darpan exclusive investigation has revealed a disturbing rise in cases of child abuse by school staff in Mumbai, leading to panic among parents and raising serious questions about safety in educational institutions.

Our team spoke with victims, families, teachers, school administrators, child rights activists, and police officers to understand how deep the problem goes—and what is being done to stop it.

A Shocking Case That Sparked It All

The story started when a 6-year-old girl from a reputed private school in Andheri East confided in her mother that the school’s male peon touched her inappropriately during recess. What was initially thought to be a misunderstanding turned into a criminal case when CCTV footage confirmed her presence with the man in an isolated corridor.

The peon was arrested, and the school was served a notice by the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

But what followed was even more shocking—over 15 similar complaints came up from different schools across the city within just 2 months.

Data Tells a Disturbing Story

According to Mumbai Police data accessed by Jan Jagran Darpan:

• 47 FIRs have been filed under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act involving school staff in the past 12 months.
• Out of these, 11 were teachers, 7 were support staff, and the rest included bus drivers, sports coaches, and temporary workers.
• The majority of victims were between the ages of 5 to 11 years.

A senior police officer, on the condition of anonymity, told us:

“We believe these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. Many cases go unreported due to fear, shame, or school pressure.”

Parents in Fear, Trust Broken

A group of parents from Navi Mumbai told Jan Jagran Darpan that their trust in the schooling system has been shaken.

“We pay lakhs in school fees hoping for safety and good education, not trauma. We now accompany our children into the school till the classroom door. That is how scared we are,” said Megha Sharma, mother of a 7-year-old.

In another case, a school in Bandra allegedly suspended a teacher who tried to raise internal concerns about a colleague’s behavior. The teacher, who did not want to be named, said:

“They said I was damaging the school’s reputation. But what about the children’s safety?”

Are Schools Doing Enough?

All schools are supposed to follow the CBSE and ICSE guidelines on child safety, which include:

• Verified police background checks for all staff
• Functional CCTV cameras
• Complaint boxes and safety committees
• Awareness programs for students

But Jan Jagran Darpan found that many schools are not complying.

In a random check across 10 schools:

• Only 6 had fully functioning CCTV coverage
• 3 didn’t have female attendants on school buses
• 5 lacked a child protection committee
• Only 2 schools had conducted child safety workshops in the past year

The Mental Health Angle

Dr. Ritika Doshi, a child psychologist in Mumbai, said she has seen a 40% increase in child trauma cases this year.

“Children often don’t understand what is happening to them. The trauma comes out later as anxiety, sleep disorders, or anger issues.”

She urges schools to have regular counselling sessions, safe communication spaces, and trained teachers who can spot early warning signs.

Government Reacts: Crackdown Coming

After our initial findings were shared with the Maharashtra Child Rights Commission, Chairperson Sudha Kher confirmed:

“We are taking this very seriously. Surprise inspections, stricter license checks, and parent grievance redressal cells are being activated from next month.”

Meanwhile, the Education Department issued a state-wide circular last week:

• Schools must submit safety compliance reports within 15 days
• Non-compliance may lead to fines or suspension of license
• All schools must assign a female child safety officer by August 31

Voices of Hope: Students Lead the Change

Despite the grim situation, some positive stories have emerged.

At Greenwood High School in Thane, the student council initiated a “My Body, My Right” campaign.
Students took pledge cards home, participated in workshops, and created skits on personal boundaries.

Their principal, Anita Gokhale, said:

“Children can become the biggest safety advocates if we empower them with the right information.”

Call for a Larger Movement

Child rights NGO Break the Silence Foundation has launched a #SafeSchoolsNow campaign, urging:

• Mandatory POCSO training for all staff
• Monthly child safety drills
• A national child safety audit of schools

Founder Rahul Nayar told Jan Jagran Darpan:

“We need to stop brushing this under the carpet. Schools must become safety-first zones, not just exam factories.”

What Can Parents Do?

Experts advise parents to:

• Talk openly with children about good and bad touch
• Encourage reporting without fear
• Monitor behavior changes like withdrawal or aggression
• Know school staff and protocols well
• Report suspicious behavior to the POCSO e-Box or local police

Conclusion: The Time to Act Is Now

Mumbai’s children are its future, and their safety cannot be compromised. The recent rise in abuse cases must serve as a wake-up call for all—schools, parents, police, and policymakers.

As Jan Jagran Darpan continues to follow this story, we urge readers to come forward, report unsafe practices, and demand change.

This is not just a news report. It is a call for action. Because every child deserves a safe classroom, a caring school, and a fearless future.