Director of Education Gajanan Bhat told Herald that these comprehensive guidelines for students and staff will be in accordance with those issued by MHRD late last year.
“We are in the process of drafting separate guidelines on par with MHRD’s guidelines to ensure safety and security of children… these are being followed by Central government schools such as Kendriya Vidhayalas and Navodayas,” Bhat said, asserting that these guidelines for schools are likely to be completed by February.
Presently, educational institutions are following safety procedures enforced by the department in a February 2013 circular, which were based on recommendations made by the Goa State Commission for Women’s committee headed by then chairperson Ezilda Sapeco. These guidelines directed installation of surveillance cameras at all strategic locations including entry/exit points, wearing photo identity cards by students and staff during schools hours, maintaining visitors’ register and displaying emergency helpline numbers in the premises, among other guidelines.
The safety measures were necessitated in the wake of the horrific rape of a Vasco school student and a series of sexual offences against minors. However, even after two years, not all schools have complied with the circular. Bhat said the school managements will be asked to implement the safety measures till a new circular is issued. He went on to add that the circular in force has no safety procedures for ensuring protection of students while on field trips, which is one of the reasons why the education department will re-issue a new set of safety norms on the lines of MHRD guidelines.
Taking a cue from rising incidents of child abuse in schools across the country, MHRD issued detailed safety guidelines initiating security steps including verification of the antecedents of the staff, including teachers, in all educational institutions. The guidelines also mandate shifting of schools where banned products are openly sold to safer localities, drawing up a mechanism to keep children away from liquor, drugs and tobacco products; and ensuring safety of students on study or field trips.
Goa Police has also been roped in, as part of the entire exercise, with respective police stations instructed to hold regular meetings with schools managements.
