Chandigarh issues strict guidelines for schools; seeks compliance by Sep 30

Following last week's murder of 7-year-old Pradyuman at the Ryan International School in Gurugram, authorities in Chandigarh on Monday issued fresh guideline to school managements and principals to ensure safety and security of students studying in these institutions.

The educational institutions, be they government, government-aided or private-unaided, have been asked to report compliance by September 30.

"Principals, heads of schools and management of private schools shall be responsible for the safety and security of the students from the time of the arrival of the student(s) till the time student(s) leave the school premises. It is also made clear that whether school children are transported by buses owned by a school or by an independent contractor, the school management can not disown its responsibility regarding the safety of school children," a spokesman of the Chandigarh Education Department said here.

The schools have been asked to get antecedents of all staff; including drivers, conductors, helpers, attendants, sweepers, gardeners and other staff, from the police department. They have been directed to get CCTV cameras installed at important locations inside school premises.

"Entry in the school in respect of persons other than students, teachers and non teaching staff/personnel must be regulated so as to ensure that no unauthorised person is able to enter school premises during the school hours. It shall be ensured that proper record of visitors' along with their contact details etc. is maintained," the spokesman said.

He said that schools shall devise a protocol so as to ensure that drivers, conductors and other support staff are not given unrestricted access during school hours and do not use the same toilets as the students.

"Schools shall delineate well defined area within the school premises where drivers, conductors and other support staff of buses can enter and use," he added.In the primary wing, only female sweepers and attendants shall be assigned duties as far as possible, he said.

--IANS

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