ONLY FEMALE ATTENDANTS IN PRIMARY WING TOILETS: GOVT

NEWDELHI: In an attempt to ensure the safety of students, the Delhi government has asked all schools to deploy only female security guards or sanitation workers in the toilet area of the primary wing .

The directorate of education (DOE) has, in a circular issued to all schools, asked the institutes to ensure “no male security guard or sanitation workers should be seen nearby toilet area in primary wing.”

The move comes as part of government’s ‘check on safety measures’ in the wake of incidents of violence and sexual abuse being reported from schools.

“The head of school should ensure that the entry and exit gates of the school should be kept closed. Any outsider should not be allowed to enter the premises without the permission of the HOS or any other officer deputed by the HOS,” the circular said. It also said all security guards and sanitation workers be directed to be “vigilant, polite and sympathetic towards the students.”

Ravinder Kumar, officer on special duty of Doe’s caretaking branch, said the move was part of government’s plan to ensure no untoward incident happens .

The government had, i n November last year, issued a 117point checklist for ensuring student safety in their premises and warned that there would be “zero tolerance” for any violation.

The checklist, including everything from toilets to cyber security, has been prepared in the wake of the killing of a schoolboy in a Gurgaon school and the rape of a minor girl by a school attendant in Delhi, officials said.