What could have been more shattering for parents than their seven years old son viciously murdered in a reputed & considered to be safe school in Gurugram. The schools charging hefty fees and other charges from the parents are not able to ensure the safety of lives of students whom the parents believe to be safe hands while in school. In the wake of the brutal murder of seven-year-old Pradyuman at Ryan International School, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has said the onus for safety and security of children in school campus shall solely lie upon the school authorities.

The latest CBSE circular in regard to safety of students in schools says Board has from time to time issued instructions to implement and sensitize the schools for ensuring the safety and security of students during school time and while in transit to school and back home.

These exhaustive provisions are required to be strictly followed by every school affiliated with CBSE to ensure complete safety of school children in school. In addition, the school authorities may immediately take following measures to enhance the security of children in Schools:

1. Get the security /safety audit done of their premises and personnel from their respective local police station and follow the security related advice for the safety of School children. This may compiled lied and reported online on CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in within 2 months of receipt of this circular.
2. Install CCTV Cameras at all vulnerable areas/point in the School premises and ensure they are functional at all times.
3. They must get the police verification and psychometric evaluation done for all the staff employed. Such verification and evaluation for non-teaching staff such as, bus drivers, conductors, peon and other support staff may be done very carefully and in a detailed manner.
4. Ensure that supporting staff is employed only from authorised agencies and proper records are maintained.
5. To constitute a parent-teacher-students committee to address the safety needs of the students and to take regular feedback from parents in this regard.
6. The access to school building by outsiders should be controlled and visitors monitored.
7. To provide training and development for staff to address their responsibilities to protect children from any form of abuse.
8. The school shall constitute separate committees for redressal of public/staff/parents/students grievances, Internal Complaints committee on sexual harassment and committees under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offence) Act, 2012 and details of the these committees along with contact details shall be displayed prominently on School Notice Board and conspicuously on the school website for information of all stakeholders.

It is reiterated, that all schools affiliated with CBSE are hereby directed to strictly adhere to all the guidelines issued by MHRD and Board from time to time. Any violation/lapses with regard to safety and wellbeing of children in school campus would invite appropriate action including the disaffiliation of the school as per the provisions under Affiliation Bye-Laws of the Board, the circular read.

What happened in Ryan International School has terrified parents all over the country & most of the parents feel concerns about safety of their children while in schools. eLiveToday severely expresses grief over bereaved family of Pradyuman Thakur & pray to God to give them strength for such irreparable loss.