HYDERABAD: The Ministry of Education has appealed to all states and union territories to implement the “Guidelines on School Safety and Security-2021” to improve the protection of children in educational institutions. This directive follows orders from the Supreme Court in Writ Petitions (Criminal) No. 136 of 2017 and (Civil) No. 874 of 2017, reports have said.
POCSO Act
In line with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the guidelines intend to fix clear accountability for school management in government, government-aided, and private schools in this regard.
Key components
Key components of the guidelines include preventive education, reporting procedures, legal provisions, support services, and fostering a safe learning ambience.
The Education Ministry has instructed the states and UTs to report on the notification status of these guidelines.
Issued on October 1, 2021, the guidelines are advisory in nature and allow states to adapt those as per their needs. However, they stress a ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ towards negligence of any sort relating to safety of students.
Safe learning environment
The guidelines envisage fostering an understanding among all stakeholders, including students and their parents, about the importance of a safe school environment for the holistic development of children. They also aim at creating awareness about the acts, policies, procedures, and guidelines relating to various aspects of safety and security including physical, socio-emotional, cognitive, and disaster-specific initiatives.
Fixing accountability
The guidelines have been designed to empower stakeholders by clarifying their roles in implementing these measures. They fix accountability for ensuring the safety of students, both in school and during transportation to and from school.
In private or unaided schools, this responsibility falls on school management, principals, and teachers. In government and government-aided schools, the onus is on the headmaster or in-charge of the school, teachers, and the education administration.