New Delhi: The Ministry of Education has reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and security of students across all educational institutions with the release of the ‘Guidelines on School Safety and Security – 2021’. Developed in response to the Supreme Court’s orders in Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 136 of 2017 and Writ Petition (Civil) No. 874 of 2017, these guidelines are designed to create a safe, inclusive, and secure environment for children in schools nationwide.
The guidelines, issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), cover schools ranging from Government and Government-aided to Private institutions. They are aligned with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and lay out a framework to establish clear accountability for the safety and well-being of children.
In addition to emphasizing the importance of safety, the guidelines offer preventive measures, procedures for reporting, and provisions for legal and emotional support. They also detail the responsibilities of various stakeholders, including school management, teachers, principals, and parents, in safeguarding students. The guidelines address multiple aspects of safety, including physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive well-being, as well as preparedness for natural disasters.
Key Objectives of the Guidelines:
- Safety Accountability: The guidelines hold school management and staff accountable for student safety, including while children are being transported to and from school.
- Preventive Education: Schools are encouraged to adopt preventive measures to ensure a safe learning environment, covering areas such as physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being.
- Zero Tolerance Policy: A key aspect of the guidelines is the implementation of a ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ against negligence in the safety and security of children.
- Empowering Stakeholders: The guidelines provide clarity on the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders, including school principals, teachers, students, and parents, in creating a safe school environment.
The guidelines were circulated to all States and Union Territories, as well as Autonomous Bodies and relevant ministries, in October 2021. While advisory in nature, States and UTs have been encouraged to modify or add to the guidelines to meet their specific needs. The guidelines are publicly available on the DoSEL website for reference.
Enhanced Safety Provisions for Students: The guidelines prioritize the protection of students not just on school grounds but during transportation to and from school. They emphasize the responsibility of school management and educational administrators in ensuring that every aspect of a child’s safety is addressed, leaving no room for negligence.
By co-creating a safe and secure learning environment, the government aims to ensure that children can thrive in a space that nurtures their holistic development. Parents and students are also made aware of the acts, policies, and procedures already in place to protect them, ensuring a collective approach to student safety.
With a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and positive learning outcomes, the ‘Guidelines on School Safety and Security – 2021’ stand as a comprehensive framework for ensuring student safety at every stage of their educational journey.