New Guidelines to Ensure Student Safety in Schools Must Be Implemented

Order from Union Ministry of Education to All States and Union Territories

New Delhi, 23rd: The Ministry of Education has issued a crucial directive to all states and Union Territories, mandating the implementation of the “Guidelines on School Safety and Security” to ensure the safety and welfare of students in schools across the country.

The Ministry of Education is dedicated to safeguarding students in schools and other educational institutions. In alignment with the Supreme Court’s directives and the guidelines of the POCSO Act, the Ministry has developed the “Guidelines on School Safety and Security-2021.” These guidelines not only clarify the responsibilities of school management but also outline preventive training, reporting procedures, and support measures to ensure student safety.

Objectives of the Guidelines:

• To raise awareness among all stakeholders, including students and parents, about the need for a safe school environment that fosters the holistic development of children.
• To inform various stakeholders about the existing actions, policies, procedures, and guidelines related to safety and security, particularly in the context of physical, socio-emotional, intellectual, and natural disaster risks.
• To empower stakeholders and clarify their roles in implementing these guidelines.
• To define the responsibilities of school management, principals, and teachers in private/unaided schools, as well as school heads/in-charges, teachers, and educational administrators, in ensuring the safety and security of students (including during transportation to and from school by school buses).
• To emphasize the importance of a ‘zero tolerance policy’ towards any negligence by individuals or school management regarding student safety.

These guidelines were sent to all States and Union Territories on 01.10.2021, and the Union Ministry of Education has instructed them to adhere to these guidelines and formulate their policies accordingly.

The full details of these guidelines are available on the Ministry of Education website: https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-10/guidelines_sss.pdf.

This decision by the Ministry of Education marks a significant step toward ensuring student safety in schools, enabling students to study in a secure environment that promotes their overall development.