Senate probes complaint over 5-year-old student at Westminster School

Islamabad: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights has taken notice of a complaint concerning a five year old student at a private school in Islamabad and decided to examine how the institution and relevant authorities handled the matter.

The issue was raised during a meeting of the committee chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, where members discussed child protection and the response to a reported incident involving a young student at Westminster School.

A Official representative told the committee that the five year old child had described details of what she said had happened at the school. The representative said it was significant that the child had been able to speak about the matter to her mother.

The committee chairperson said the school and parents had already been contacted and that statements from both sides had been recorded. She said further proceedings, including hearing the relevant school officials, were still required before the matter could be fully assessed.

Members also discussed whether the child had personally experienced the reported incident or may have witnessed something involving another person. The committee agreed that this question should be established through a proper and sensitive inquiry rather than assumptions.

The discussion also focused on the arrangements for children in a mixed school. Members questioned the presence and positioning of male support staff near areas used by female students and asked about the availability of female attendants.

The committee expressed concern over a reported remark referring to the child’s account as a possible fantasy or fairy tale. Members questioned whether such a description was appropriate while a complaint involving a young child was being examined.

The chairperson said the committee did not want to turn the matter into a public show and preferred a careful examination of the school’s administration, staff and procedures. Members discussed the possibility of visiting the school and examining the matter privately.

Committee members also stressed that any review should focus on the safety of children and the steps taken by the school after the complaint was raised.

The committee is expected to examine the available record, hear the relevant sides and consider what further action is appropriate based on the findings.