CWC Srinagar Issues Comprehensive Child Safety Guidelines for Schools
Mandatory staff training, CCTV in school buses and anti-bullying mechanisms among key directives
Schools asked to strengthen child protection systems, counselling support and awareness on abuse prevention
Srinagar: The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Srinagar has issued a comprehensive circular directing all government and private schools in the district to strengthen child safety, protection and reporting mechanisms to ensure a secure and child-friendly environment for students.
The committee, functioning as a Bench of First Class Judicial Magistrate under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, said the directions have been issued to reinforce safeguarding practices within educational institutions and ensure strict compliance with child protection laws.
According to the circular, all teaching, non-teaching and support staff, including transport personnel, will have to undergo mandatory periodic training on child protection laws, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, positive discipline practices, mandatory reporting obligations and safeguarding measures.
The CWC has also laid down strict transport safety measures, directing schools not to allow buses or vans to carry students beyond approved seating capacity. All school vehicles must comply with prescribed transport safety norms and be equipped with functional CCTV cameras covering the passenger compartment.
The circular states that the surveillance systems must remain operational throughout the journey and recordings should be preserved for production before competent authorities whenever required.
To address behavioural and emotional safety concerns among students, schools have been instructed to conduct regular awareness and sensitization programmes on peer bullying, cyberbullying, ragging, emotional abuse, discrimination and conflict resolution. Institutions have also been directed to establish effective anti-bullying mechanisms and confidential complaint reporting systems.
The committee further directed schools to organize age-appropriate awareness sessions for students on personal safety, body autonomy, good touch and bad touch, online safety, personal boundaries and the importance of reporting abuse or inappropriate behaviour to trusted adults or authorities.
Emphasizing protection of women staff members, the CWC instructed educational institutions to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards harassment, intimidation or abusive conduct by students against female teachers and employees. Schools have been advised to undertake counselling and disciplinary measures in accordance with institutional policies and legal provisions.
Every school has also been asked to constitute and operationalize a Child Protection Committee or School Safety Committee to monitor implementation of safety measures, address complaints promptly and periodically review safeguarding practices.
The circular further stresses the need for regular engagement of counsellors or trained professionals to conduct awareness programmes and counselling sessions on child protection, mental health and emotional well-being.
Schools have additionally been advised to promote value-based education and co-curricular activities aimed at fostering empathy, compassion, discipline, gender sensitivity and mutual respect among students.
The Child Helpline number 1098 has to be prominently displayed in bold letters at visible locations within school premises, including entrances, corridors, notice boards, counselling rooms, staff rooms and on the rear glass panels of school buses and vans.
The committee also reminded school authorities of their legal obligation under the POCSO Act, 2012 and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 to immediately report any suspected case of child abuse, neglect, exploitation or offences against children to the police or competent authorities, warning that failure to report such incidents could invite legal action.
