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The central government has issued new guidelines to fix the accountability of schools in the matter of children's safety. Failure to follow these instructions may result in fines. Even the recognition of schools can be taken away. In fact, after the order of the Supreme Court, 'Guidelines on School Safety and Security' have been prepared by an expert committee. The order came in response to a writ petition filed by the father of a student who was killed in an international school in Gurgaon in 2017, seeking guidelines for fixing the accountability of school management in the matter of safety of children studying in schools. was demanded.
The responsibility of fixing the safety of children with the head
The guidelines, shared by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, with states and union territories on October 1, state that the school management, principal or school head has the responsibility to ensure the safety of children in schools. Parents play an important role in monitoring whether the school is fulfilling its responsibility.
It states that “when the child is in school, the school has control over the child. The school knowingly neglects the child, which may cause unnecessary mental or physical suffering. This is referred to as the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.” may be considered as a violation of the
11 categories of negligence identified in the guidelines
These guidelines will be implemented in addition to all existing school safety guidelines. Under this, 11 categories of negligence were identified in the guidelines. For this the school administration will be held accountable.
- Negligence in setting up secure infrastructure in this.
- Negligence related to security measures.
- Negligence in the level of food and water provided in the premises.
- Delay in providing medical aid to students.
- Negligence in taking action against a complaint reported by a student.
- Mental, emotional harassment, negligence in preventing bullying.
- discriminatory action.
- Substance abuse in school premises.
- Punishment including inaction at the time of disaster or offence.
- Negligence in strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines which may endanger the safety of the students.
Along with this, various sections of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and the Prevention of Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses, or POCSO, (Amendment) Bill, 2019 have also been prescribed in the guidelines. Under this, the school administration can be held accountable for the above negligence.