Reports of children being abused at some nurseries in the Sultanate has shocked many parents. A nursery in Muscat, for instance, was shut last May following complaints of frequent violations. The Ministry of Social Development, which oversees nurseries in the Sultanate, said the violations were discovered by its children affairs specialists during periodic visits.
The nursery was issued a warning prior to its closure. Yet, it took no steps to fix the problem.
According to a woman, whose two daughters were under the care of the nursery, children were “subjected to abuse and rough treatment” by babysitters.
“One day, a man approached me near the nursery and asked if I found anything suspicious in the nursery. He said his son was abused by nannies and there were bruises on his body,” said Um Haneen.
The man told her he had filed a case against the nursery. “I could not believe it since I hadn’t come across anything unusual.”
The next morning, the nursery was closed. The administration sent a text message to all parents that said: “The place would be closed for one day.”
After the incident, she believed the man’s story and decided to admit her children in another nursery.
Days later, Um Haneen received a call from the Public Prosecution summoning her and her husband to the Public Prosecution office.
At the office, they were shown a video of their youngest daughter being subjected to some harsh treatment. “We saw a baby-sitter lift her up to the sink and then put her down sloppily. We were told she was lucky compared with some children who were treated badly.”
The couple, and many other parents, have filed a case against the nursery and its staff.
According to the Child Law issued as per Royal Decree No 22/2014, a child is entitled to convenient life standards that fulfil his physical, mental, psychological and social needs.
Zainab al Nassri
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