Context
Recently due to the ongoing safety, security aspects of students in academic institutions were highlighted in the news which attracted several guidelines to address the concerns. The recent directions as issued by the Ministry of Education recently on formulation of “Guidelines on School Safety and Security” for all States/UTs is a landmark move towards protecting the students and their security.
About
- The, ‘’Guidelines on School Safety and Security’ are a guideline set for schools formulated by the DoSEL, Ministry of Education as advisories.
- These are intended to protect children while in school, and have been made with reference to the POCSO Guidelines.
- These guidelines include sections on accountability, and preventative education and support and are aimed for use in all schools, government, government aided, and independent schools.
- Lack of student safety and security in learning institutions attained both physically, emotionally as well as psychologically have called for a sound framework.
- These concerns are: The guidelines sought to achieve these concerns and ensure students get a safe environment to learn.
Description
- Each area of usefulness of the developed guidelines can be linked to safety and security issues in physical, socio-emotional, cognitive and disaster-related domains.
- The guidelines elaborate on the ‘Accountability for “Zero Tolerance”’ includ[ing]measures for Preventive Education, Reporting, Legal Requirement, Assistance, and Counselling.
- The guidelines anchor responsibility on school management, principals, teachers, and education administration and offer a blueprint on stakeholders’ participation and sensitisation.
Significance
- In light of this, the guidelines are very relevant as a safe environment enhances learning among the students in school.
- The guidelines are essential in access, participation, and achievement; they attest to the Ministry of Education’s policy of students’ safety and security.
- It details safe and secure practices from the deposit of the specimen, transportation from the site of collection to the laboratory and even withdrawal of the sample to analysis and disposal, making it possible to significantly minimise the possibility of accidents and injury and other safety hazards.
Pros
- The guidelines feature a broad perspective where safety and security matters concerning schools are addressed.
- The guidelines focus on the responsibility and early risk management; such a concept may contribute to minimization of safety issues.
- The guidelines include reception of support and counselling for the student in case of socio-emotional and/ or psychological problems.
- These guidelines enhance stakeholders’ participation and sensitization and thus contribute to establishment and implementation of secure and safe schools.
Cons
- The guidelines are stated in broad terms and may not therefore be compulsory for all schools.
- Adherence to the guidelines may be difficult because of lack of tools or structures for entailment.
- The guidelines may entail unexpected training and building of capacities among stakeholders, which may take time and lots of resources.
Challenges
- Several concerns may arise in the process of implementing and enforcing the guidelines observing the fact that several schools may have inadequate infrastructural development or the little funding that may be available may not be effective enough.
- Improving resource and infrastructure may, at times, be expensive and will need some assistance.
- Managing rights specific to safety and security of the learners, on the other hand the rights of the students wherein they are ought to be granted freedom in teen ages and adolescence may be an exhausting task.
- Getting back to the discussion on the possible limitations and concerns, it can be stated that certain types of updating the guidelines may be required from time to time in response to new safety and security threats.
Conclusion/Way Forward
- The guidelines therefore need to be observed by all players within the system and this include the school management, the teachers, parents and the learners themselves.
- Follow up and assessment procedures should be employed occasionally and commonly to determine the applicability of the set guidelines.
- This should be a process that is continuous with regular training to make sure that stakeholders are in a position to deliver effectively on the implementation.
- Periodically the guidelines should be revised and other guidelines prepared to cater for emerging issues in order to make them effective.
Source: Press Information Bureau