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Patna: In an effort to strengthen student safety across Bihar, the Bihar Education Project Council has issued a directive urging the strict implementation of the School Safety and Security Guidelines – 2021. The guidelines are to be applied across government, semi-government, and private schools, with instructions already dispatched to all district education officers and programme coordinators.
The directive, signed by State Project Director Mayank Warwade, underlines the importance of these guidelines in line with a Supreme Court ruling and India’s National Education Policy 2020. The central education ministry has also made these safety norms available on its website for easy access.
The framework outlines five core areas of school safety, ranging from infrastructure to cyber security. One of the key mandates is ensuring the physical safety of school buildings. This includes installing boundary walls, ensuring proper fan placement in classrooms, and having designated emergency exits.
To promote emotional and social security, schools are expected to actively monitor student behaviour and educate children on personal safety, including awareness about ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’.
On the health front, schools are required to keep basic first-aid kits and conduct regular health check-ups. Each student should be provided with a comprehensive health card, as per the directive.
Cyber safety also features prominently. The guidelines stress the need for secure internet access and proper supervision of electronic devices used during computer classes, to prevent misuse or harm.
Lastly, schools have been instructed to develop a disaster management plan and carry out mock drills, ensuring students and staff know how to respond during emergencies.
The Bihar government hopes that the implementation of these revised protocols will not only ensure a safe learning environment for students but also serve as a model for other states looking to upgrade school safety standards.
