Westminster International School in Bahria Town Phase 7, Rawalpindi, is facing questions after an allegation involving a three-year-old Nursery-2 student and a member of the school’s janitorial staff sparked protests by students and parents.
According to reports shared by the child’s family, the girl told her mother after returning home that she was experiencing discomfort in her private parts and said something had happened at school. Her mother then approached the school administration and asked for the matter to be investigated. The family also reportedly asked to see CCTV footage from the relevant area, initially being told that a camera there was not working.
The incident quickly spread online, with students and parents demanding answers from the school over how the allegation was handled. Students reportedly raised concerns about the janitorial staff member and claims that complaints about his behaviour had previously been made. A peaceful protest was also held as members of the school community called for transparency and stronger child-safety measures.
The school, however, has disputed the allegations. According to an account of a meeting with parents on September 10, the school said an FIR had been registered against the suspected janitor and that police, the Child Protection Bureau and FIA had been informed. The school also reportedly said its internal investigation had been completed and that it was cooperating with the relevant authorities.
CCTV has remained one of the biggest points of discussion. The school reportedly said footage from the washroom’s common area was available and that it did not show the alleged incident, while cameras do not cover individual cubicles. The school also acknowledged a separate CCTV coverage gap in a corridor area.
Following the controversy, the school says it has removed male janitorial staff from the early-years section during school hours, expanded CCTV coverage, introduced mandatory child-protection training, appointed a dedicated child-safety officer and begun fresh background checks of staff.
The allegation remains under investigation, and the suspected staff member has not been convicted of any offence. With police and child-protection authorities now reportedly involved, the focus should be on establishing what happened while protecting the child’s privacy and wellbeing.
Sources: Instagram, Facebook, Reddit