Just about a month ago, Herald correspondents had fanned out across the State for a ground report on the school safety measures adopted. This was just after the killing of a child in a school in New Delhi. The reality was that while some schools had ensured that safety measures, as proposed by the authorities, had been put in place, there were many schools that had no security or no adequate security in place. There were reports of no security guards, easy access to the school buildings and no compound walls.
One aspect that was not taken into account at that point of time, or even in the safety guidelines given to schools, was of what occurs in the schools, especially those run by the government, after school hours. Most schools, and this includes government schools, don’t have a security guard after classes end and a sizeable number of them, again especially many government primary schools, don’t even have a compound wall to secure the building. What happens in such schools, or around them, was revealed by a teacher from a Vasco school.
At a meeting that was convened by Mormugao Municipal Council, representatives of schools operating within the jurisdiction of the municipality, complained of their premises being used as ‘party places’ by anti-social elements after school hours. A teacher went on record at the meeting stating that after the school closes for the day the area around it is used for celebrations, where alcohol is consumed. Another said that the scariest part is that anti-social elements sit near the school gate and tease the students. Another said that a group of such elements sits near the school drinking. The teachers have demanded that security guards be appointed to protect the children.
This is indeed shocking, and tragically this would not be restricted to schools in Vasco, but this is perhaps what transpires across the State. Schools are supposed to be temples of learning and should be kept sacred. Liquor bottles and parties by anti-social elements have no place in the school premises or even in the area around them. Keeping schools safe has become a shade more difficult, with these revelations.
The statements of the teachers are believable as the finding of empty liquor bottles and empty cigarette packets on the streets every morning, especially in the urban areas, has become quite common, an indication that drinking and smoking in public places does occur after nightfall.
One of the suggestions that was made at the meeting was that the schools must install closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) in their premises so as to have a recording of what transpires in the area. This, however, cannot be left entirely to the schools, especially as some of the schools may not have the required budgets to install the systems. This needs then to be take further by the authorities and against this backdrop of nuisance from anti-social elements and the statements of the teachers, the need for CCTV cameras to monitor all public areas, and not just schools, has never been greater.
While Panjim, under the Smart City programme is slated to get CCTVs across the city that will be constantly monitored by the authorities, it would be advisable to install similar systems in all urban areas and tourist spots to keep a check on drinking on street corners and also gatherings of anti-social elements. This may not reduce the incidents of drinking in public places, the authorities then have to act on those who drink on the streets, especially in and around school areas. It is the duty of the government and the citizen to ensure that schools are not turned into ‘party place’ once the students have left the premises for the day.
