Implement school safety guidelines, Centre tells States

Sub: Polity

Sec: Legislation in news

Context:

In view of protests over the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls at a school in Badlapur near Mumbai, the Union Education Ministry has directed all States and Union Territories to implement its guidelines to ensure safety and security of children in schools.
The Ministry has also asked States and UTs to inform the status of notification of the guidelines that it had issued in 2021 in accordance with the POCSO Act.

Guidelines on School Safety and Security

It is a set of guidelines issued by Education ministry to fix accountability on the school management in matters of safety and security of children studying in government, government-aided and private schools.
They help in keeping children safe and secure in schools, and when they use school transport to commute to and from schools.
The guidelines cover preventive education, accountability of various stakeholders, reporting procedure, legal provisions, support and counselling, and safe environment.
It emphasizes ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ against any negligence on the part of any individual or management when it comes to the safety and security of children in schools
States and UTs were informed that they may incorporate additions/modifications to these guidelines, if deemed necessary.

Significance

It makes different stakeholders aware about the acts, policies, procedures and guidelines already available on different aspects of safety and security – physical, socio-emotional, cognitive and specific to natural disasters as well.
The guidelines focus on responsibility and early risk management which can contribute to minimization of safety issues.