23 October,2010 06:32 AM IST | | Kranti Vibhute
Kindergarten school dismisses teacher over parents' allegations that she taught children to French kiss and molested them
"MY three-year-old asked me to kiss her on her lips," a shocked Sushma Shah (name changed) said disbelievingly.
While Shah would have expected the tot studying at Euro Kids, Versova to prattle about Cinderella, The Pied Piper or Jack and Jill, she was shocked to hear the child ask for a French kiss.
When Shah saw the girl kiss her siblings that way, she decided to prod gently.
The letter that was sent out to parents
"She told me her teacher, Rubina Ansari (not her real name), taught her. I informed my husband and a relative whose child also studies in the same school," said Shah.
"My relative said her child too had been behaving in a similar manner," said Shah who, along with parents of a few other kids, then complained to the school authorities.
The school on Wednesday sacked Ansari, an assistant teacher, on suspicion that she molested students.
The teacher's mother told MiD DAY late last night, "My daughter is innocent. The school and parents initiated action against her in her absence."
Parents of at least six students had complained that their kids had learnt about the French kiss from the teacher.
A total of 57 students are enrolled at the school's Versova centre. Classes for playgroup and nursery are held in two batches between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm.
Cameras in class
Head of Euro Kids Versova centre, Farzeen Hooda, confirmed that the school had sacked a teacher as parents suspected that she molested children.
Hooda said an inquiry was being conducted in the matter.
"We have assured parents that we will install CCTV cameras in the classrooms so we can keepu00a0 watch," said Hooda.
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"It is unlikely that such incidents can happen as each class has a teacher, an assistant teacher and a maid."
Imitating teacher
"The children were mimicking the teacher's behaviour. They used to undress themselves, give their siblings a French kiss," said another parent whose child also studies in the same school.
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"That's when some of us started checking with one another and the truth emerged."
"I never expected them to teach such things to children," said another parent, Shaila (name changed), still trying to come to terms with the abuse that her child underwent. "How did nobody notice when the teacher was teaching the kids such things?"
The parents said they decided not to lodge a police complaint, fearing it could prove mentally traumatic for the children in the long run.
A meeting of all nursery parents was held on Wednesday, during which the teacher concerned was told to be present.
"The children said the teacher behaved inappropriately with six or seven students of the class," said Shah. "One of the kids said the teacher kissed them on their body, undressed them and touched their private parts."
What cops say
"We do not know what exactly the matter is.
Though a few parents had come to the police station on Monday, they did not lodge a complaint," said Senior Police Inspector of Versova police station Suresh Nalavade.
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"If they decide to complain, we will surely cooperate with them."
The Other Side
"None of this is true. I have not done anything. The allegations are baseless. Without my knowledge, a (dismissal) letter was issued and a copy given to parents.
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I have neither submitted my resignation letter nor accepted the termination letter. I am very much with Euro Kids," said the teacher, Rubina Ansari
