VASCO: The Mormugao Municipal Council has decided to invite Director of Education for the next joint meeting with the school representatives so that the issues regarding students’ safety especially in government schools operating in its jurisdiction can be addressed on priority.
“Today we held a second joint meeting with the representatives of different schools which are operating under the council jurisdiction and during discussion it was learnt that several issues regarding students’ safety in schools including installation of CCTV cameras, deployment of security guards etc have been pending and the same can be addressed at Education Director or Education Minister’s level. We therefore have decided to invite Director of Education for our next meeting to hear the grievances and address the same. If the issues are not resolved even by him then the Council would seek intervention of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who also holds the Education portfolio to help the schools by sorting out their difficulties in creating secure space for children while they are in the school,” said MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik.
During the meeting which was held at Municipal Council hall on Monday, issues such as misuse of school premises by anti-social elements, pending deployment of security guards in schools due to less salary offered (as per department rules Rs 9,000 per month salary is offered to guards), pending installation of CCTV cameras at government and some aided schools, lack of proper monitoring of CCTV footage, etc. were discussed.
The CO expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of ADEI Vasco, despite being formally informed about the meeting. Vasco PI Nolasco Raposo sensitised the members on child safety, child abuse laws, identification of students involved in drug abuse and suggested ways to handle them.
“We want to take security aspects at highest level so that safety of students is not compromised and thus we are trying to put security under right prospective. There is need of hour to install CCTV cameras at all isolated places in the schools. There should be security guard at the entrance or exit points of the schools. Whenever any stranger enters the school, their antecedents have to be checked, besides that there are several other guidelines which every school must follow. The school managements have been told to attend the next meeting with action taken report and to forward their suggestions so that council can follow up with the government in getting issues resolved,” Fernandes added.
