New Delhi: With series of cases of harassment of students being reported from schools and elsewhere, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has issued new guidelines not just for the safety and security of children, but for their health and hygiene as well.
An official of the children rights body said that this has been done with a view to assist various Education Boards across the country and the schools under them to have a common understanding regarding the basic safety and security measures for children.
The guidelines, which consists 81 pages, deal with several aspects regarding safety of children, like the infrastructure of schools, health and hygiene, psycho-social aspects, roles and responsibilities of teachers.
The new guidelines pointed out that girl students must be taught about menstrual hygiene management by female teachers in a sensitive and supportive manner and also steps be taken to encourage and support girls during menstruation so they do not miss school.
NCPCR has also focused on the food for the children. "Quality assurance of mid-day meal and food safety should be an integral part of food handling procedures at the school kitchen," said the guidelines.
The school shall prohibit all persons and authorities of the school from harassing or victimizing any child belonging to weaker section and disadvantaged group.
The message "Bullying is strictly prohibited inside school premises and no such act will go unnoticed or unpunished" may be clearly stated in the school prospectus and other guidelines circulated by it.
"It should be ensured by the school that there is zero tolerance observed on any matter related to sexual abuse of a child. Stringent action shall be taken against the perpetrator as per law," state the guidelines.
Training of teachers to ensure safety and security of children itself will cover a wide spectrum of drills for safety, first aid, gender sensitisation, principles of no corporal punishment.
Priyank Kanoongo, an NCPCR member, said that through guidelines children and their parents can also check whether the school takes proper measures for safety and security.