Schools to lose recognition if norms ignored

Action against principals for compromising student safety ◗ The guidelines were issued following recommendations from a highlevel committee, which was formed in the wake of the murder of a boy in a Gurgaon school

Pulling up schools for “half- hearted compliance” of student safety guidelines by schools in the national capital, the Delhi government has warned them of withdrawal of recognition and initiation of disciplinary proceedings against principals if guidelines are not complied with.

The government has said there is no respite in the number of various types of physical, emotional and sexual assaults on school children — within the school boundaries and outside.

“Despite serious endeavours by the government, other agencies and by courts, the schools also respond with only half- hearted compliance,” an official order by the directorate of education ( DoE) said.

The guidelines were issued following recommendations from a highlevel committee, which was formed in the wake of the murder of a sevenyearold boy in a Gurgaon school and alleged rape of a five- year- old girl in a school in Shahdara in East Delhi.

In case of some schools, the status of compliance is even more worrisome. No wonder then, that there is no respite in the number of various types of physical, emotional and sexual assaults on school children within the school boundaries and outside,” it said.

“In fact, such incidents are on the rise. In such a grim scenario, it is felt that half- hearted approach won’t work any more. If our schools are serious about providing foolproof safety and security to the innocent children whose parents trust us and only, therefore, they entrust us with the responsibility of their wards), then they must ensure compliance of the directions,” the official order said.

The department has said that it “shall initiate disciplinary proceedings against the heads of schools and estate managers if they fail to follow the tenets of student safety guidelines in word and spirit”.