Mumbai: In a move aimed at supporting security in schools, the Maharashtra government has issued new guidelines on Tuesday, mandating schools to take several key measures to safeguard students. These directives come in response to the sexual assault of two kindergarten students in August 2024 at a pre-primary school in Badlapur East, Thane district, highlighting serious concerns about student safety.
As per the new guidelines, all schools in Maharashtra must now conduct roll calls three times a day. Additionally, schools are required to install CCTV cameras on the premises, including at least one camera outside toilets, to enhance monitoring, according to Hindustan Times report.
The recordings from these cameras must be preserved for a minimum of one month. The new policy also applies to school buses, which will now be equipped with CCTV cameras, and a female attendant must always be present on these vehicles to ensure further safety for the students.
To further secure the environment, schools must conduct thorough background checks on all staff members, including both teaching and non-teaching personnel, before hiring them. A police character verification certificate will be mandatory. In cases of sexual assault complaints, schools must report the incident to the local police station immediately.
In addition to these measures, the government has mandated that schools organize training sessions for students on recognising "good touch and bad touch" to raise awareness about sexual harassment, particularly for younger students in pre-primary and primary grades, as per report.
Furthermore, schools will be required to install a complaint box, which will be opened twice a week in the presence of a school committee, including parent representatives. These new security measures aim to address concerns about student safety, prevent future incidents, and ensure a safer learning environment across Maharashtra’s schools.
