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Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Taking cognizance of the deteriorating safety measures in schools across the country, the CBSE on Thursday issued new security-related guidelines to be implemented by the educational institutions, failing which they would face derecognition.
The guidelines come amid increasing concerns about students’ safety in schools following the murder of a seven-year-old student in Ryan Int'l school, Gurgaon, and the rape of a five-year-old girl by a school peon in Delhi.
Putting the onus for safety and security of students in school campus on the school authorities, CBSE said the schools should strive to promote a better understanding amongst their teachers and staff on the laws protecting the safety, security and interests of the students and device means to take immediate remedial and punitive action against such violations. The staff members should also be educated to recognize their protective obligation towards students and to ensure safety and well being of children in schools.
Safety audits, installation of CCTV cameras, police verification, psychometric evaluation, constitution of parent-teacher-students committees to address safety needs of the students and taking regular feedback from parents must be ensured, the board said in its circular.
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"Training should be provided to the school staff to address their responsibilities to protect children from any form of abuse. Any violation/lapses with regard to safety and well being of children in school campus would invite appropriate action including the disaffiliation of the school as per the provisions under affiliation by-laws of the board," says the communication sent to schools.
“The schools must constitute separate committees for redressal of grievances of the public, staff, parents and students, an Internal Complaints committee on sexual harassment, and committees under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offence) Act, 2012. Details of the these committees along with contact details shall be displayed prominently on school notice board and conspicuously on the school website for information of all stakeholders," it read.
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Besides, access to the school building by outsiders should be controlled and visitors monitored while employment of support staff must be done only from authorised agencies and proper records should be maintained by the schools, says the CBSE circular.
