A school in south Bengaluru planned a picnic for their children to a place outside the city, and as was the norm, sent a declaration form to parents stating: “I shall not hold the school or any staff member wholly or partially responsible...”
It is only on signing this declaration that children can be sent on the picnic or educational trip.
This practise, followed in a majority of schools, may end, with the Department of Primary and Secondary Education giving a serious thought to parents’ argument that this declaration absolves schools from the responsibility of children during such trips. Such declaration forms may find a place in the Child Protection Policy, whose draft was released earlier this month and which is to be implemented by the next academic year.
“Why can’t the school put a safety plan in place and take responsibility during the trip? This will also instil confidence among parents to send their children to school,” said a parent.
Earlier in October too, parents had raised an issue after one of the oldest schools in the city asked parents to submit a declaration that all ‘risks and hazards’ associated with the trip had been assessed, and that the parents could not hold the school or any of its agents involved in the trip and transportation for any claims.
In fact, following a series of sexual assaults in schools in 2014, several schools discontinued the practice of overnight trips and claimed that this was done to ‘exercise caution’.
Kripa Amar Alva, Chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said that the Child Protection Policy would be expanded to ensure that schools would have to take responsibility when taking children to any trip or event.
However, a member of the management of a school in south Bengaluru defended the move. “We do make all arrangements and ensure the safety of children. But, if there is something unforeseen or a mishap, we should not be held accountable. These factors are beyond our control,” he said.
Involving parents for shared responsibility
One way to ensure responsibility of children during trips is to emphasise on ‘shared responsibility’, where both school authorities and parents plan educational trips together.
At Shibumi School, Srilakshmi Divakar, whose son studies in the school, said parents are actively involved in the activities of the school, and this leads to a sense of mutual trust. “Parents usually volunteer when the students are going on nature walks that are held every week, or on treks and trips that are held occasionally,” she said.
Mansoor Ali Khan, board member of Delhi Public Group of Schools, said they had done away with declaration forms and instead focus on assessing safety features at the site. “We chose the places carefully and also do a reconnaissance of the picnic place, and see if there are any places that could lead to trouble. We even inspect structures there, and make changes for the safety of the children,” he said.
