Schools approach cops for verification of staff
Parents asked not to enter campus, pick children from the gate
LUCKNOW: After the brutal murder of an eight-year-old boy in a Gurugram school, educational institutions in Lucknow have started approaching the district police for verification of their support staff, as directed by the education department.
“We have collected documents from all our support staff and submitted the same to the police for verification. Safety of students will not be compromised. We are following government directives and guidelines issued from time to time,” said Geetika Kapoor, principal, St Teresa’s College, Ashiana.
Meanwhile, a number of city schools stopped parents from entering the premises to drop and pick their child. They were told not to go up to classrooms and stand at the gate.
In a reality check at Christ Church College, it was found that parents had to stand at the gate when children entered the school campus. A similar practice was put in place in other city schools also. Anxious parents waiting at school gates on Wednesday could be seen discussing ‘safety measures’. Parents suggested that to prevent recurrence of Gurugram-like incidents, there is a need for child protection services in collaboration with volunteer groups who engage with children in schools regularly. Besides, there should be public awareness on child rights, child vulnerability, and child protection services, they suggested.
“There is a need to set up a special police force comprising men and women to handle children related affairs. The force should also regularly interact with children in schools. Further, there is a need for stringent laws to deal with child abuse – both in schools and at home,” said Himanshu Rai, professor, IIM Lucknow.
Amrita Chakraborty Dass, a parent, opined, “The Gurugram incident has shocked the nation. The school is trying to cover it up and should not be given any such chance. Parents want justice.”
“Every day, thousands of children are abused by adults or other children. But this particular incident is different. First of all, the school is the second safest place for children. When kids are in school, we parents feel that our children are in safe hands. But this incident has proved that children are not safe anywhere,” she added. LU prof Geetanjali Mishra emphasised on prevention of entry of outsiders, more connect between teachers and students. Staff presence in isolated areas will also help, she added.