SC raises concern over students’ safety

Gives Centre 3 months to frame policy, asks it to cover both public, private schools ◗ Earlier, the apex court had sought compilation of norms formulated by the Centre and states for its consideration

New Delhi, April 17: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to decide in three months on demands for framing of safety guidelines for all schools, as sought by the father of a seven- year- old boy who was killed in a Gurgaon school, and some lawyers.

The top court said the decision taken by the government should cover both public and private schools.

The SC bench said the court was not an expert on framing of policy or guidelines for schools and it would be appropriate if the government looks into the cause raised in various writ petitions.

“We direct the ministry of human resources development ( HRD) to look into the prayers in the PILs and consider taking a decision in three months. The decision taken shall be for both government as well as private schools,” it said.

Earlier, the apex court had sought compilation of norms formulated by the Centre and states for its consideration. It had asked all the states and Union Territories to file their responses on the PILs filed by father of the deceased child, some lawyers and organisations.

Three states — Haryana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh — have filed their responses in the case.

The plea filed by two women lawyers, Abha R Sharma and Sangeeta Bharti, sought framing of “non- negotiable” child safety conditions and implementation of existing guidelines to protect school- going children from offences like sexual abuse and murder across the country.

The plea had also sought cancellation of licences and forfeiture of state grants of erring schools.

Another PIL, filed by lawyer Sujeeta Srivastava, raised the issue of children “being exploited and subjected to child abuse repeatedly within the boundaries of the schools” and demanded that central and state governments notify a set of “non- negotiable” child safety conditions for schools.

Besides the HRD ministry, the plea has made all state governments and union territories as parties and sought proper implementation of the existing guidelines of authorities including the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights on prevention of child abuse in schools.

Referring to the guidelines, it said every school is required to have a “child protection policy which should be understood, explained and signed by all employees or recruits”.