Zero Tolerance Policy towards children safety in schools.

Government of India Education department committed to ensure the Zero Tolerance Policy towards children safety in schools and other educational institutions. In compliance with the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 136/2017 and Writ Petition (Civil) No. 874/2017, to strengthen processes, accountability and safeguard students, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education has developed ‘Guidelines on School Safety and Security-2021’ which are in line with the POCSO guidelines.

These guidelines, among other things, provide for accountability of school management in matters of safety and security of children studying in Government, non-government aided and private schools. In addition, these guidelines provide measures on preventive education, accountability of various stakeholders, reporting process, relevant legal provisions, support and counselling and safe environment. These guidelines are critical for access, inclusiveness and positive learning outcomes.

These guidelines were circulated to all States/UTs/Autonomous Bodies of DoSEL and stakeholder Ministries on 01.10.2021. These guidelines are advisory in nature, detailing the accountability of various stakeholders and various departments in ensuring safety and security of children in schools. States/UTs were informed that they may notify these guidelines by incorporating additions/modifications to them, if deemed fit, as per the specific needs of their State/UT. These guidelines have been uploaded on DoSEL website https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-10/guidelines_sss.pdf.

The objective of these guidelines is to:

Create an understanding among all stakeholders, including students and parents, about the need to co-create a safe and secure school environment for the holistic development of children. To sensitize various stakeholders about the Acts, policies, procedures and guidelines already available on various aspects of safety and security viz. physical, socio-emotional, cognitive and those related to natural disasters.

To fix accountability on the school management and principals and teachers in private/ unaided schools and on the Head/ Head-in-Charge of the school, teachers and education administration in case of Government/ Government aided schools for keeping children safe and secure in schools (including safety of children during their transportation to and from school or their return home in school transport).

To empower various stakeholders and clarify their role in the implementation of these guidelines. The main objective is to emphasize on ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ towards any kind of negligence on the part of any individual or management in matters of safety and security of children in schools.