Education Ministry mandates safety audits of schools, psychosocial support
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New Delhi: All States and Union Territories received a direction from the Ministry of Education on Saturday to take immediate action to protect students’ safety and well-being.
Among the measures suggested are mandatory safety audits of schools and child-related facilities in accordance with national safety codes, offering psychosocial support through counselling, and promptly notifying the appropriate authorities of any dangerous incident involving children.
All public schools and facilities used by children and youth must undergo safety audits in compliance with national safety rules and disaster management guidelines as a preventive precaution, according to an official announcement.
“Structural integrity, along with fire safety, emergency exits, and electrical wiring, must be thoroughly assessed,” it said.
The Ministry mandated that a reporting mechanism needs to be put in place for the safety of children. “Any dangerous situation, near miss, or incident involving potential harm to children or youth must be reported within 24 hours to the designated State or UT authority. Strict accountability must be ensured in cases of delay, negligence, or failure to act,” the statement said, TNIE reported.
The Education Ministry reiterates its shared responsibility with States and Union Territories to ensure that no child or youth is endangered due to avoidable circumstances, it stated. The order requires that psychological and social well-being be prioritised. "In addition to physical safety, mental health and emotional well-being must be prioritised through counselling services, peer support systems, and community engagement initiatives," according to the report.
The order also required staff and students to undergo emergency preparedness training, such as evacuation drills, first aid, and safety protocols. “Collaborations with local authorities (NDMA, fire services, police, and medical agencies) must be strengthened to conduct periodic training sessions and mock drills,” it added.
Parents, guardians, community leaders, and local governments should be encouraged to remain vigilant and report unsafe conditions in schools, public places, or modes of transportation for children and youth. The decree directed education departments, school boards, and related bodies to immediately adopt the measures.