Navi Mumbai: Parents assembled outside a Seawoods-based school on April 28 to protest after a school bus driver was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 4-year-old student.

The incident came to light on April 24, when the child complained of rectal pain to his parents. Concerned, they rushed him to a hospital, where medical staff raised suspicions of abuse.

The parents subsequently approached the school principal to report the matter but alleged that their concerns were initially dismissed. Following this, they lodged a complaint at the NRI Coastal police station, leading to the driver’s arrest under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The investigation remains ongoing.

Parents protesting outside the school expressed dissatisfaction with the way the administration handled the situation. They criticised the lack of formal communication and the absence of visible measures to reassure the school community about student safety.

Although the school circulated a message referring to an internal inquiry, parents described it as inadequate. A meeting between the school and parents has been scheduled for May 1.

Workers from political parties, including the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), supported the parents’ demands for greater accountability. They also highlighted broader concerns, such as the lack of staff supervision in school washrooms and inadequate infrastructure, calling for urgent improvements to the school’s safety standards.

In an official statement, the school confirmed it was cooperating fully with police authorities and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of its students.

Parents are now calling for the introduction of stricter safety protocols, such as thorough background checks for all staff members, improved staffing in sensitive areas, and regular safety audits, as they await further action from both the school management and law enforcement agencies.