Measures to be Implemented for Student Safety

Student safety is as important as education itself. The government periodically reviews and implements measures to ensure the safety of school students. In light of some recent incidents, the government has decided to enforce new measures and strengthen existing ones to protect students.

The government is committed to ensuring the highest level of safety for all students across the state. To achieve this, it has decided to install CCTV cameras in all schools and surrounding areas, manage the appointment of non-teaching staff, install complaint boxes in schools, enforce the provisions of the Sakhi Savitri Committee, establish a Student Safety Committee, and set up a state-level Student Safety Review Committee.

Installation of CCTV Cameras in Schools and Premises

CCTV cameras are an essential tool for ensuring the safety of students, teachers, and non-teaching staff within school premises. It will be mandatory for all privately managed schools to install a sufficient number of CCTV cameras at strategic locations by the coming month. Government and local self-government schools that do not yet have CCTV cameras must prioritize their installation. Schools can use up to five percent of their infrastructure development funds under the District Annual Plan for this purpose. It is also mandatory to regularly review the footage from these cameras. Should any objectionable material be discovered, the school principal, along with the School Management Committee, will be responsible for taking immediate and appropriate action.

Appointment of Non-Teaching Staff

When appointing non-teaching staff, whether through direct employment or external sources (including contract workers), school management must thoroughly vet candidates. This includes obtaining a character verification report from the local police before the appointment. Additionally, all details, including a photograph of the appointed individual, must be provided to local police authorities. For students up to six years of age, it will be mandatory to prioritize the appointment of female staff members.

Installation of Complaint Boxes

As part of the measures to ensure student safety, an order was issued on May 5, 2017, requiring the installation of complaint boxes in schools. School management is responsible for overseeing the complaint box and must follow detailed guidelines regarding its use and the handling of any complaints received. All schools, regardless of management or medium, are required to install a complaint box and adhere to the relevant provisions. The school principal is responsible for ensuring that the complaint box is being effectively utilized.

Formation of Various Committees

The Sakhi Savitri Committee has been established at various levels, including school, center, taluka, or city Sadhan Kendra. These committees are required to perform their assigned tasks within the stipulated time frame and conduct regular reviews.

In line with student safety, all inappropriate behaviors must be eliminated. Just as measures have been implemented to address sexual harassment complaints in the workplace, similar steps must be taken to protect school students. A ‘Student Safety Committee’ should be established at the school level within a week, with the Education Officer overseeing it. This committee will periodically meet with students to discuss and understand their concerns.

A committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the Commissioner of School Education to review student safety measures at the state level. The committee includes the State Project Director of the Maharashtra Primary Education Council, the Director of the State Educational Research and Training Council, the Director of Education (Primary), the Director of Education (Secondary and Higher Secondary), and two women officers from Group-A under the School Education Department, as nominated by the Commissioner of School Education. The Joint Director (Administration) in the Office of the Commissioner of School Education will serve as the member secretary of this committee.

Student safety measures will be reviewed monthly by the Group Education Officer and bi-monthly by the Education Officer (Primary/Secondary). Feedback from students and parents will be collected as needed. The State Level Student Safety Review Committee will submit a report on these reviews every three months, focusing on the implementation of measures across the education department.