In order to ensure child safety, the Rajasthan government has directed all schools to implement child safety guidelines from this session onwards. These guidelines have been drafted by the Department of Child Rights in consultations with the school principals.
According to Additional Director of the Department of Child Rights, a provision of child safety audit has been prepared in consultation with 20 government and private school principals, with feedback from children and their parents as well. The decision was made in the aftermath of the unfortunate incident involving a 7-year-old boy in Ryan International School of Gurgaon.
Although there are several guidelines by the Supreme Court, the school authorities don’t usually follow them. So to ensure the safety of children, these guidelines have been drafted and will be implemented from this academic session.
Picture Courtesy: The Better India
Reportedly a provision has been devised by the Child Safety department in which schools will have to form a child safety surveillance committee and a child safety audit officer will also be appointed. This officer will prepare a report on the basis of his assessment of several parameters like transportation, toilets, installation of CCTV cameras, entry of staff to classes, etc.
The document prepared by the department also contains directions for schools, code of conduct, check-list for child safety, helpline numbers, and guidelines for schools to hire vehicles carrying children, and other duties of the schools. The document also contains pictorial information for children regarding sexual abuse, health, and hygiene.
