Parents to get text if child remains absent

MUMBAI: From the next academic year 2018-19, parents will get a text message from the school management if their child remains absent. The decision was taken by the state education department to ensure the safety and security of students. The move will be mandatory for all schools in the state, irrespective of the board to which they are affiliated.

According to the circular issued by the department, which will be directed to every school, the text message will help parents understand whether their wards’ presence or absence in school. Apart from text messages, the circular mentions other pointers to be followed by schools, including marking the attendance of each child three times a day during school hours; and not punishing children in a way that will cause mental or physical trauma.

Additionally, schools have been asked to verify staff before recruiting them. A character certificate of each and every employee, including the faculty, peons, bus drivers, conductors, etc. should be prepared and sought from the concerned police station. For the safety of girl students in schools, a female attendant should be deployed near the girls’ washroom, school buses, and on each floor of the school to keep a watch on them and also accompany them while moving from one place to the other within the school.

The principal of a south Mumbai school said, “Several of the points mentioned in the circular are already being followed by most of the schools, including us. However, now, as the department has charted out guidelines and norms, schools will be obliged to follow and hence, bring in more safety for students in schools and campuses.”

Moreover, schools and junior colleges will have to compulsorily install CCTV cameras in schools, colleges, exit and entrance gates, campuses, each floor etc.

Past incidents which raised questions on students’ safety

Ryan International School, Gurgaon: Seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur was murdered inside his school in Gurgaon by another student. According to CBI, the student wanted to postpone the examinations and PTA meeting. Pradyuman was found outside a toilet near his classroom with his throat slit. (happened in the month of September, 2017)

Byculla student molestation case: A 59-year-old lady staff was arrested by the Byculla police station for allegedly inappropriately touching a four-year-old student in a South-central Mumbai school. The incident came to light when the girl spoke to her cousin about the incident and complained about abdominal pain. (happened in the month of April)

12-year-old molested by a teacher in mumbra: A teacher from Mumbra was arrested for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy who was molested in the classes, last week.