Ryan International School Murder Case: CBSE issues fresh guidelines for children safety

The country has been taken by shock after the murder of a seven-year-old in Ryan International School, Gurugram. After the unfortunate incident, the Central Board of Secondary Education(CBSE) has issued a fresh set of guidelines on the 12th September on the safety of children.

The CBSE circular categorically mentions that safety and security of children at the campus are the responsibility of the school. The circular further stated that it is the fundamental right of the child to “ engage and study in an environment where he/she feels safe and is free from physical or emotional abuse or harassment. All the CBSE- affiliated schools are required to comply with the guidelines within two months of publication.

Following are the new guidelines-

1. Schools will need to conduct safety/security audits of their premises and employees from the respective local police station within the next two months.

2. Install CCTV cameras at all vulnerable points in the school premises and ensure it is functional at all times.

3. Police verification and psychometric evaluation must be conducted by all staff employees, emphasising this be done meticulously for non-teaching staff as well like bus conductors, drivers, peon, and other support staff.

4. Ensure support staff is employed by authorized agencies and maintain proper records of them as well.

5. Constitute parent-teacher-students committee to address security and safety needs of students while taking regular feedback from parents as well.

6. Closely monitor access to school buildings by outsiders and visitors.

7. Provide training and development to staff to protect children from any form of abuse.

8. Schools shall also constitute a separate committee for redressal of public, staff, students, and parents grievances, internal complaint committee on sexual harassment and committed under Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act. Details of all these committees along with the contact details must be displayed prominently on the school notice board and conspicuously on the school website as well.