Principal found guilty of sexual harassment transferred schools; no action taken

Ismail Naseer, principal at Izzudheen School found guilty of sexually harassing six teachers, has been transferred to another school without facing consequences.

In relation to the different forms of harassment allegations, Naseer was reported to the Ministry of Education and the matter was investigated by a special committee within the ministry. The committee had concluded that he is in fact guilty, revealed the Teachers' Association of Maldives in a statement.

Condemning the decision to transfer him, Teacher’s Association of Maldives pointed out that Ismail Naseer was not only transferred to another school, but also given a promotion. The association described it as an attempt to protect the abuser's interest by the education ministry.

Further, the Teachers Association of Maldives urged that the ministry take back Naseer’s promotion and punish him in order to protect the rights of those that have been wronged. Furthermore, they stated that letting Ismail Naseer off the hook so easily, reveals a path for more people like him to continue to commit such heinous acts.

Noting that the education ministry's committee had found Naseer guilty of harassing teachers, the Teachers' Association noted the committee had recommended to take action against him under Article 22 of the Sexual Harassment and Abuse Prevention Act.

In a statement released on Thursday, Ministry of Education said that four educators at Izzudheen School has been transferred to different schools adding that this has no connection to the sexual harassment case reported from the school.

It further condemned the "false" narratives by the Teachers' Association of Maldives and the Public Interest Law Centre.