95 Ggn schools yet to submit safety compliance reports

Gurugram: There are still 95 schools in Gurugram that have not submitted the safety compliance report to the district administration. Earlier the deputy commissioner had warned that action will be initiated against the 135 schools that had failed to provide the report on how they plan to keep students safe in its premises. Legal action can be taken against the management of these schools under section 188 (disobedience of order promulgated by the public servant) of the Indian Penal Code.

After the gruesome incident of murder of 7-year-old Pradyuman, all schools in the district were strictly asked to comply with these orders.

Under this, the management of schools were asked to submit certificates to the district administration. One of the main criteria was the constitution of a school security committee that will include parents as representatives.

The criteria also include compulsory police verification of non-teaching staff and arrangement of separate toilets for these staff.

Moreover, special toilets with ramps must be constructed for physically challenged children, and a female attendant must be assigned in toilets for small children. The administration also lists issuance of fire safety certificate as one of the criteria, as well as to ensure that fire safety equipment is in working condition.

The order also directs schools to install adequate number of CCTV cameras inside the school premises, as well as the school buses. It was also directed school buses must have GPS systems and the mandatory presence of a female attendant. After submitting their report, they can be inspected by the public officials on their safety standards.

If they fail to meet the standards as outlines, their licences can be cancelled by the deputy commissioner.

The guidelines have become even more important as the Supreme Court also directed all the schools to strengthen its security system. Failure to submit the report has again exposed the safety procedures followed by school in Gurugram. While there were concerns that were expressed over the seriousness of the issue, action was only by the public authorities after the tragic incident on September 8.

The detailed report had found several lapses in Ryan International School, Bhondsi. To ensure the safety of over 1000 children that are studying in the school, the Deputy Commissioner have taken over managing the school for three months.