Panaji: The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has sent a set of guidelines to the Goa Directorate of Education, and asked them to ensure strict compliance by schools.
GSCPCR chairperson Sushma Kirtanti said on Wednesday that each school should have a child protection policy incorporating a comprehensive safety and security plan.
Apart from measures to prevent sexual assault on school premises or buses, the guidelines stipulate standard operating procedures for entry of NGOs, monitoring of entry of visitors, separate toilets for staff and students, functional CCTVs, renovation of school during vacations or after school hours, prohibition of smoking, drinking liquor, and a committee to monitor the implementation of the child protection policy.
The guidelines also say that no girl students should be left alone with male staff on the bus. A police verification certificate should be mandatory while appointing teachers and administrative support staff, and security personnel.
The guidelines also stipulate that there should not be any form of corporal punishment to children.
The guidelines direct the school authorities to display an advisory on the Blue Whale challenge on notice boards and circulate it among parents.
