The Delhi Government has warned the schools in the national capital to withdrawal recognition and initiate strict disciplinary actions against principals if student safety guidelines are not complied with.
According to Delhi Government, there is no decline in the number of various types of physical, emotional and sexual assaults on students within the school boundaries.
An official order by the Directorate of Education (DoE) in this regard said, “Despite serious endeavours by the government, other agencies and by courts, the schools also respond with only half-hearted compliance.”
“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,” The order further said.
“In fact, such incidents are on the rise. In such a grim scenario, it is felt that half-hearted approach won’t work anymore. 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 added.
The department in its order also 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”.
“Further, this directorate will be constrained to initiate equally severe action against the schools, including withdrawal of recognition in cases of repeated and deliberate non-compliance to pre-empt any untoward incident endangering the safety of students and thus, inculcate a sense of confidence among the students and their parents,” the order stated.
The directive assumes significance in light of the recent case of alleged rape of a minor girl by an electrician in a NDMC school premises in the city.
