TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: As schools re-opened on Monday, the Education department has issued an advisory to all schools laying emphasis on the safety of girl students and advising students to leave campuses in groups after school-hours.
The department has also directed school managements to ensure proper police verification of the school bus drivers and insisted that students leave with their parents or relatives of parents.
“Students should be advised to go in groups rather than going home alone after school hours. The managements of schools should take adequate measures/steps to ensure that children leave school only with their parents or relatives of the parents,” the circular mentions while directing schools to issue identity cards to students containing names of the parents/guardian and other related details.
School security guards also have to confirm that no student or staff member is left in the premises and report this to the heads of the institutions daily. Arrangements to check and inspect unauthorized persons entering the premises should also be made.
Highlighting safety of students travelling by school bus, school managements have been asked to ensure that unknown persons are not allowed to travel in the vehicle along with the students. Similarly, the background of the drivers and helpers should be verified by the respective police stations.
“School managements may also be encouraged to hire women helpers on the vehicles, as an additional safety feature for girls… care should be taken to drop girl students and women staff first at their place of residence on preference after school hours in the evening,” the circular says.
Schools, hostels and residential schools have further been asked to compulsorily maintain log-books to register names and other details of all visitors, and students should carry I-cards daily.
Safety of students by way of constructing compound wall and double fencing with plantation, removal of objectionable material from near the school premises, and training to students and teachers to negotiate specific hazards enroute, have been prioritized.
