Safety in schools: Baijal writes to Deputy CM

NEW DELHI:In the backdrop of the recent unfortunate incidents of sexual assault in schools in the NCR, Lt Governor Anil Baijal has written to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia emphasising the need to urgently formulate and enforce guidelines to ensure the safety and security of the children in schools.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 13

In the backdrop of the recent unfortunate incidents of sexual assault in schools in the NCR, Lt Governor Anil Baijal has written to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia emphasising the need to urgently formulate and enforce guidelines to ensure the safety and security of the children in schools.

Baijal has asked the Delhi Government to put in place security measures identified by the police and other stakeholders mandatory for grant/continuation of recognition of schools. He has also directed the Delhi Police to waive off verification charges for private schools to incentivise verification and the Education Department was directed to advise all the private recognised schools to avail themselves this facility in a time-bound manner.

The LG had earlier directed the police to initiate action to brief and sensitise the field-level police officials to visit schools and advise them to implement certain safety and security measures in the interest of safety of school students. He had also asked the police to suggest safety/security guidelines to be implemented by schools.

Following which, the police have suggested some important measures such as verification of antecedents of security guards/support staff/ employees, employment of adequate number of security guards preferably from ex-servicemen/authorised private security agencies registered under the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act, security/safety audit of schools, installation of CCTV cameras at suitable points, proper illumination of dark spots, training modules, etc.

In his communication, the LG has suggested the government that the security measures listed by the police along with measures suggested by other stakeholders like DCPCR, CBSE, etc., be considered for inclusion as a set of binding requirements for grant/continuation of recognition of schools under the Delhi School Education Act and Rules.

The LG stressed that the safety and security of our children cannot be compromised at any cost and has to be an essential condition to allow running of schools in the city.

Baijal stated that all departments and stakeholders should work together to ensure a safe and secure environment in schools for the children.