Ministry of Education calls on states to implement school safety guidelines
The Ministry of Education has directed all States and Union Territories (UTs) to enforce the “Guidelines on School Safety and Security-2021” to better protect children in educational institutions. This action follows Supreme Court directives from Writ Petitions (Criminal) No. 136 of 2017 and (Civil) No. 874 of 2017. Aligned with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the guidelines mandate clear accountability for school management in Government, Government-aided, and Private Schools.
They cover preventive education, reporting procedures, legal provisions, support services, and ensuring a safe learning environment. The Ministry has asked States and UTs to update the status of these guidelines in their regions. Initially circulated on October 1, 2021, the guidelines are advisory and allow States to adapt them to local needs, emphasizing a ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ towards lapses in 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.
It is to fix accountability for keeping children safe and secure in schools (including while children are transported to and fro, to attend school or go back to their homes in a school transport) on School Management and Principals and Teachers in Private/Unaided Schools, and Head/in-charge Head of School, Teachers and education administration in case of government/government-aided schools.
They cover preventive education, reporting procedures, legal provisions, support services, and ensuring a safe learning environment. The Ministry has asked States and UTs to update the status of these guidelines in their regions. Initially circulated on October 1, 2021, the guidelines are advisory and allow States to adapt them to local needs, emphasizing a ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ towards lapses in 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.
It is to fix accountability for keeping children safe and secure in schools (including while children are transported to and fro, to attend school or go back to their homes in a school transport) on School Management and Principals and Teachers in Private/Unaided Schools, and Head/in-charge Head of School, Teachers and education administration in case of government/government-aided schools.
