Reshma Ravishanker

Karnataka’s Department of Public Instruction has enlisted a 25-point checklist for headmasters to check against each day in the view of safety of students.

These guidelines come days after several instances of compromise of child safety have come to light in Karnataka. From dilapidated buildings to unhygienic toilets, the concerns raised over the past few days have been aplenty.

“In relation to the above-mentioned subject, as per the Right to Education Act, 2009, RTE Rules 2012, the Karnataka State Child Protection Policy-2016, and various circulars issued by this office, instructions have already been given regarding the precautionary measures to be taken at the school level concerning the safety of children. However, despite this, various lapses/irregularities in child safety are occurring in schools, which are being reported during official school visits and through media reports. This has been taken seriously,” reads a circular by K V Trilok Chandra, commissioner, Department of Public Instruction.

Among the 25-point checklist is condition of school structure, its compound wall, gate, availability of drinking water, cleanliness of toilets, ensuring the school water sump is secured with a lock, provision of mid-day meals, inspection of quality of food grains, student attendance and child safety.

It has been instructed that headmasters must sign the listed aspects every day and ensure that all systems are in place for that date, confirm the same, and mark it. If any discrepancies are noticed, immediate corrective measures must be taken. 

The concerned District Nodal Officers, Deputy Directors (Administration/Development), Block Education Officers, ECOs, BRCs, BRPs, and CRPs have been instructed to ensure that this circular is strictly implemented by the headteachers daily in the schools.

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