Principals instructed to ensure that students are accounted for by teachers during school hours

School principals have been instructed to ensure that students are accounted for by teachers during the hours they spend at school.

The instruction was informed to school principals in a circular sent today – which was signed by Education Minister Dr. Aishath Ali.

The circular read that principals must ensure that all students are accounted for by teachers – especially that of those admitted to baby nursery, nursery and foundation stages (LKG and UKG) – during the hours they spent at school.

In addition to this – the circular read the if students of those stages are escorted to the restroom by someone other than their class teachers; the teacher must confirm the identity of the person who is escorting the student.

This stern circular comes in the wake of a sexual assault of a four-year-old preschooler at Galolhu School.

The assault took place inside the school’s toilet – and the victim had identified her assailant as a female caretaker at the school; however, was unable to pinpoint the specific caretaker.

There weren't any CCTV cameras installed at the school when the assault took place.

Subsequently, on Saturday, Galolhu School announced that they had installed CCTV cameras inside the premises and suspended all female caretakers. The school also told that students will be escorted to the toilet by teachers. 

Police announced the arrest of a 63-year-old woman in connection to the case tonight.