Guidelines on School Safety and Security 2021: The Ministry of Education has directed all states and union territories (UTs) to implement the “Guidelines on School Safety and Security-2021” to enhance the protection of children in educational institutions across the country. This move is in response to directives from the Supreme Court, as outlined in Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 136 of 2017 and Writ Petition (Civil) No. 874 of 2017, emphasizing the importance of child safety in schools.
Key Aspects of the Guidelines
The guidelines, which align with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, were issued on October 1, 2021. They are designed to establish clear accountability for school management across government, government-aided, and private schools. Key components include preventive education, a clear reporting process for incidents, legal provisions, support services, and the creation of a safe learning environment. The guidelines emphasize a ‘zero tolerance policy’ towards any negligence regarding child safety, aiming to hold individuals and school management accountable for ensuring the security of students.
State and UT Implementation
The Ministry has requested that states and UTs provide updates on the notification status of these guidelines within their respective jurisdictions. While the guidelines offer flexibility for local adaptation, they underscore the importance of a consistent and rigorous approach to child safety. The advisories also encourage the co-creation of a secure school environment involving all stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, and school management.
Empowering Stakeholders and Ensuring Accountability
The guidelines aim to empower various stakeholders by clarifying their roles and responsibilities in maintaining school safety. For private and unaided schools, accountability is placed on school management, principals, and teachers. In government and government-aided schools, the head of the school, teachers, and education administration are held responsible for the safety of children, including their commute to and from school.
By implementing these guidelines, the Ministry of Education seeks to ensure that schools across the nation provide a safe and nurturing environment for the holistic development of children, protecting them from physical, socio-emotional, cognitive, and natural disaster-related risks.
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