If schools do not comply with the order, notices will be issued.
After the Bhadrapur incident, the Maharashtra government issued a government resolution requiring installation of CCTV systems in all school buildings within a month.
In a bid to enhance safety of women and children, Mumbai Suburban Cabinet Minister and Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha issued important directives to the district collector. The minister stressed the importance of implementing comprehensive security measures in various schools and colleges in the district to curb incidents of abuse of women and children.
At a program at the Mumbai Suburban Collectorate, Bandra, Minister Lodha announced that all Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the state and every college in Mumbai suburbs will provide self-defence training to young women from September 1. This measure is part of a wider strategy to empower women and ensure their safety in educational institutions.
Minister Lodha expressed serious concern over the rising incidents of violence against women and children and cited the recent incident in Bhadrapur as a clear example of the need for immediate action. “The neglect of women's safety has led to tragic incidents, which is why strict instructions must be issued to all educational institutions from kindergarten to postgraduate level in suburban Mumbai,” Lodha stressed. He stressed that schools and colleges must conduct thorough background checks on their employees to prevent any untoward incidents.
The directive issued by the Minister includes several key measures:
1. Install CCTV cameras throughout the school premises (excluding toilets) and conduct regular maintenance inspections by patrol officers or mobile police teams.
2. There are female staff stationed outside the women’s restrooms for continuous supervision.
3. Assign female sanitation workers to clean bathrooms used by minor girls and tenth grade students.
4. Require female staff on all buses, taxis and vans used for student transportation.
5. Mandatory police checks on all sanitation workers employed by schools.
6. Partner with local NGOs to provide self-defense training to female students.
7. Encourage students to report problems through the 1098 hotline and require schools to post posters containing this information.
8. Establish a separate committee of female parents in the school to meet monthly to discuss issues related to female students.
9. Put up posters in schools and colleges informing women and girls about the 181 emergency helpline.
These measures represent a proactive approach to addressing the safety of women and children, making educational institutions safer spaces for all.
After the Bhadrapur incident, the Maharashtra government issued a government resolution requiring installation of CCTV systems in all school buildings within a month. Schools that do not comply will face government action. Principals have also been instructed to monitor the footage three times a week and take necessary action if any objectionable material is found.
Additionally, the state government has mandated precautionary measures when recruiting school staff, including background checks for sweepers, peons, bus drivers and security guards. Schools must also set up student complaint boxes, form student safety committees and report any incidents to the government within 24 hours.
