Guwahati: Instances of inappropriate conduct by teachers in classrooms are emerging as a growing concern in Assam, with official records indicating a steady rise in such cases over the past few years, including a significant proportion involving sexual abuse.
Data compiled between 2023 and 2026 show that at least 30 cases of teacher misconduct have been formally recorded across the state. These range from verbal abuse and intimidation to serious allegations of sexual harassment. Around 35% of the cases involve alleged sexual misconduct registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, while nearly 30% relate to verbal intimidation. The remaining cases pertain to coercion or misuse of authority within classrooms.
Experts and child rights advocates caution that the actual number of incidents is likely higher, as many cases go unreported or are resolved informally between school authorities and families, often without legal intervention.
The issue has gained renewed attention following a recent case at a private school in Silchar, where a senior teacher has been accused of misusing classroom time, verbally abusing and physically assaulting students, and pressuring them to enrol in private tuition classes. More serious allegations suggest that the teacher resorted to intimidation tactics, invoking a past student suicide case to instil fear, leading to psychological distress among pupils.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of the incident and sought an Action Taken Report from the state’s Education Department, as well as district authorities in Cachar.
This case adds to a series of incidents reported in recent years. In 2022, a teacher in Kamrup district was suspended over allegations of sexual abuse involving a minor. The same year, a private school teacher in Pathsala faced action after an audio clip purportedly capturing sexual harassment surfaced online, while a similar case was reported from Morigaon. In September 2024, a teacher in Dhubri district’s Bilasipara was arrested under the POCSO Act for alleged misconduct involving a minor girl, triggering public protests. Another case in Cachar involved the arrest of a government school teacher for molesting an 11-year-old student on school premises. More recently, an assistant teacher in Guwahati was suspended following complaints of abusive language, while a private tutor in Kokrajhar was sent to judicial custody under POCSO provisions for alleged inappropriate behaviour towards minor girls.
Child rights experts warn that the recurrence of such incidents is eroding trust in the education system. They note that fear and social stigma often prevent students from speaking out, with many cases surfacing only after intervention by parents or activists.
Activists emphasise that classroom misconduct must be treated as a serious violation of children’s rights rather than a mere disciplinary issue. They underline the need for every school to implement robust child protection policies, ensure that teachers are trained in child safety laws, and conduct regular awareness sessions for students on reporting mechanisms. Measures such as installing suggestion boxes monitored by independent committees and strengthening institutional oversight have also been suggested.
According to experts, the challenge lies not only in punishing offenders but also in creating a safe and supportive learning environment where students can engage without fear and with dignity.