HC seeks to know safety measures adopted by schools for kids

The Delhi High Court today sought to know from the AAP government the measures they have adopted to keep children safe and secure in all the city schools.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the Delhi Directorate of Education and asked them to place a status report with regard to safety they provide to the children.
The court has fixed the matter for further consideration on February 7 next year.
Delhi government additional standing counsel Sanjoy Ghose told the court that there were guidelines in this regard which were very much in place after the Ryan International School murder of a seven-year-old boy.

The court issued the direction after converting a letter, written by an advocate seeking the court's intervention to improve the conditions in schools here, into a public interest litigation.
Delhi resident Dishant Sharma had written a letter to the High Court highlighting the issue of safety and security of children in schools.

Acting on it, the bench said it was an important issue and needed to be considered.
Sharma, through his letter which was received by the high court on September 16, has sought framing of guidelines to make schools accountable for children's safety.
He has also sought police verification of the support staff in the schools, besides counselling of all staff. It has also sought a direction for installation of CCTV cameras in the school premises.

"Separate washrooms for students and no direct access of support staff in the premises be allowed," the letter said which was noted by the court.
Sharma has suggested that no entry of outsider without valid identity cards should be allowed in the schools. He has also sought directions to the authorities to "set up regulatory body by government to ensure compliance by schools.