Ahmedabad: The state govt has directed all schools to ensure the safety, security and overall well-being of students by adhering to the ‘in loco parentis’ (in place of parents) principle.The govt has emphasised that schools must provide a safe and secure environment for students and take preventive measures against any incident that could affect their well-being. School managements and teachers are expected to exercise due care and vigilance while students are on the school premises or participating in school-related activities, govt said.Under the ‘in loco parentis’ principle, teachers and school authorities assume responsibilities similar to those of parents while children are under their supervision. This includes ensuring proper monitoring, maintaining discipline without resorting to inappropriate practices and responding promptly to complaints or situations that may threaten a child’s safety.The directive places responsibility on school authorities to take appropriate care that students’ physical and emotional safety is not compromised. Educationists said that this move is perceived to bar the entry of unknown people in school premises, particularly considering the vigilantism initiated by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Maharashtra and Rajasthan.According to the directive, school administrations have also been advised to remain vigilant about the conduct of staff members and ensure that students can report concerns without fear. Creating awareness among teachers, non-teaching staff and students about child protection measures is essential for effective implementation, it stated.National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has consistently stressed the importance of child safety in educational institutions. Schools are expected to treat child safety as a priority rather than merely a procedural requirement and comply with applicable child protection guidelines and ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect students from abuse, negligence and other risks, sources said.
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