The Ministry of Education has instructed all States and Union Territories to implement the "Guidelines on School Safety and Security-2021" to strengthen the safety measures for children in schools. This directive follows the Supreme Court's orders in Writ Petitions (Criminal) No. 136 of 2017 and (Civil) No. 874 of 2017.
The guidelines, in accordance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, aim to ensure clear accountability for school management across Government, Government-aided, and Private Schools. They focus on preventive education, reporting mechanisms, legal provisions, support services, and fostering a safe, conducive learning environment.
As per the ANI Report, The Ministry has requested States and UTs to provide updates on the notification status of these guidelines within their jurisdictions. The guidelines, which were initially circulated on October 1, 2021, and are advisory in nature, offer flexibility for States to tailor them to local needs. They stress a 'Zero Tolerance Policy' towards negligence regarding child safety.
The purpose of these guidelines is to create an understanding among all stakeholders, including students and parents, on the need for co-creating a safe and secure school environment for the holistic development of children and to make different stakeholders aware about the acts, policies, procedures and guidelines already available on different aspects of safety and security i.e., physical, socio-emotional, cognitive and specific to natural disasters as well.
The guidelines are made to empower different stakeholders and enable clarity on their role in the implementation of this guideline.
The guidelines aim to establish clear accountability for the safety and security of children in schools, including during transportation to and from school. In Private and Unaided Schools, this responsibility falls on School Management, Principals, and Teachers, while in Government and Government-aided Schools, it rests with the Head or in-charge Head of the School, Teachers, and the education administration.
(Reported By ANI)