Lok Sabha Question No. 2268 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-01
Subject: Safety of Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RANJEET RANJAN, MEENAKASHI LEKHI, RAJESH RANJAN  (PAPPU  YADAV), SANTOSH AHLAWAT, RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2268 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 ST  JANUARY, 2018

## Safety of Students

†2268.  SHRIMATI RANJEET RANJAN: SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI: SHRI RAJESH RANJAN: SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT: SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  recently  there  is  an  increase  in  cases  of  breach  of  security  of  students  in  schools, particularly in private schools and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of complaints received by the Government regarding not meeting the norms related to the safety of children in schools and the action taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government thereon;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  keep  direct  safety  check  on  all  the  schools  including mandatory installation of CCTV cameras and if so, the action taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  there  is  any  procedure  for  verification  of  the  non-teaching  staff  and  if  so,  the  details thereof along with the other measures taken / proposed to be taken by the Government to protect school children from physical or mental harassment in schools ; and
- (e) the number of private schools in the country, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a)  & (b) State Governments and Union Territory Administrations have the direct responsibility to ensure safety of students in schools under their territorial control.

The  Central  Board  of  Secondary  Education  (CBSE),  on  receipt  of  complaints  of  breach  of security of students in schools takes action against the schools as per Affiliation Bye-Laws of the Board. The details of complaints in the matter of breach of security of students received by CBSE during last three years are as under:

| State       | No. of complaints received in the year   | No. of complaints received in the year   | No. of complaints received in the year   |
|-------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| State       | 2015                                     | 2016                                     | 2017                                     |
| Haryana     | Nil                                      | 01                                       | 02                                       |
| Delhi       | Nil                                      | 01                                       | Nil                                      |
| Maharashtra | Nil                                      | 01                                       | Nil                                      |
| Rajasthan   | 03                                       | Nil                                      | 01                                       |
| Uttarakhand | Nil                                      | Nil                                      | 01                                       |
| Bihar       | Nil                                      | Nil                                      | 01                                       |
| West Bengal | 01                                       | Nil                                      | Nil                                      |

The action taken status is enclosed at Annexure-I.

As  far  as  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan  is  concerned,  no  complaints  have  been  received regarding not meeting the norms related to the safety of children in schools.

(c) & (d) The Ministry of Human Resource Development  has issued guidelines in October, 2014 to State  Governments  for  safety  and  security  of  school  children,  including  preventive  mechanisms  and procedures required to be put in place in the schools along with  relief and redressal strategies in case of any incident. Further, Sub-sections 1 and 2 of Section 17 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education  (RTE)  Act,  2009  state  that,  'No  child  shall  be  subjected  to  physical  punishment  or  mental harassment. Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be liable to disciplinary action under the service rules applicable to such person.'

The Schedule to the RTE Act, 2009 provides for norms and standards for a school, which inter alia stipulate  all-weather  school  building.  Under  Sarva  Shiksha  Abhiyan  programme,  School  Management Committees (SMCs) are trained on all aspects of safety and security of children in schools.  Also, the guidelines on Food Safety and Hygiene for School Level Kitchen under the Mid Day Meal scheme stress on the safety aspects of procurement, storage and preparation of food items.

This  Ministry  has  communicated  the  National  School  Safety  Guidelines  prepared  by  National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to all the States/UTs on 1.9.2017, for taking necessary safety measures in their schools.

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also suggested authorities at different levels such as SMC, School Principal, School Management, Education Department and Boards, to conduct safety audits in schools. NCPCR has developed a Manual on safety and security of children in school setting.

The CBSE has issued a circular on 12.09.2017 directing the schools affiliated to the Board to take measures  such  as  psychometric  evaluation  of  teaching  and  nonteaching  staff,  safety  audit  of  premises, CCTV monitoring, character antecedents verification, visitor management, training of staff and Internal Complaints committee on sexual harassment and committees under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual  Offence)  Act,  2012  etc.  to  ensure  safety  of  children.    For  corporal  punishment,  the  Board  has incorporated a provision in the Affiliation Bye-Laws of the Board for preventing cruelty towards children.

Under Rule 44.1  (d)  of  Affiliation  Bye-Laws  of  the  Board,  the  school  Managing  Committee  has  been empowered to place an employee under suspension if 'he/she is charged with cruelty with any student or any  employee  of  the  school'.  Rule  8.5  of  Affiliation  Bye-Laws  provides  that  the  school  should scrupulously observe prescription from the Municipal Authority/ District Collector/ Transport Department regarding drinking water, fire safety and transport precautions in the school. The Board has also issued comprehensive guidelines for safe and effective use of internet and digital technologies including CCTV cameras in schools and school buses.

- (e) The details of private schools in the country, State/UT-wise are at Annexure-II.

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2268  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  1 ST JANUARY, 2018  ASKED  BY  SHRIMATI RANJEET RANJAN, SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI, SHRI RAJESH RANJAN, SHRIMATI SANTOSH  AHLAWAT,  SHRIMATI  RANJANBEN  BHATT  REGARDING  'SAFETY  OF STUDENTS'

Statement of action taken status in the matter of breach of security of students received by CBSE during the last three years

|   S.No. | School name and address                                                                                              | Nature of Complaint                                          |   Year of Complaint | Action Taken by CBSE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|      01 | Aggarsain Public School, Sector-3, Urban Estate, Kurukshetra, Haryana                                                | A student of Nursery met with an accident and died           |                2016 | The Board has issued Show Cause Notice to the school and later on the school replied in response to this office Show Cause Notice that the matter is sub-judice before the Hon'ble High Court of Punjab & Haryana and the Board cannot intervene in the matter till the final verdict of Hon'ble High Court. |
|      02 | Ryan International School, Opp. BSF Camp., Sohna Road, Bhandsi, Distt. Gurgaon, Haryana                              | Incident of murder of a student of class II in school campus |                2017 | After taking cognizance of the case, the Board conducted inspection of the school and issued Show Cause Notice and reply of the school is being processed.                                                                                                                                                   |
|      03 | Om Public School, Khandrai, Tehsil Gohana, Sonepat, Haryana                                                          | Gang rape in school                                          |                2017 | After taking cognizance of the case, the Board constituted an Enquiry Committee and the committee reported that no such evidences were found to prove the allegation of gang rape. However, the case is still under investigation by the Police Authorities.                                                 |
|      04 | Ryan International School, C-8, Vasant Kunj, Distt. South Delhi, New Delhi                                           | Death incident of a child on 30.01.2016 in school premises   |                2016 | The Hon'ble High Court of Delhi vide order dated 15.09.2016 had given direction to Directorate of Education (Delhi) and Executive Engineers of the Municipal Corporations for periodical inspection of the school and ensure safety in the school premises.                                                  |
|      05 | Mahatma Gandhi Mission Primary and Secondary School (English Medium), Sector-8, Nerul West, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra | Rape case of students by teacher                             |                2016 | The Board has disaffiliated the school after enquiry of the case.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|      06 | Prince Academy of Hr. Education, Palwas Road, Sikar, Rajasthan                                                       | Suicide/Death of Student                                     |                2015 | Show Cause Notice has been issued to the school vide letter dated 01.12.2017                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |

|   07 | Birla Shishu Vidya Vihar, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan                                                            | Sexual Harassment                                                            |   2015 | Direction to school has been sent as per Vishaka Case Guidelines                                                                                                           |
|------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   08 | Sanskar Bharti Public School, Alwar, Rajasthan                                                            | Unnatural physical harassment by Hostel Warden and teacher                   |   2015 | The inspection committee has been constituted to ascertain the veracity of facts.                                                                                          |
|   09 | Janki Devi Public School, Pratap Nagar, Sector-19, Sanganer, Jaipur, Rajasthan                            | Sexually assault by an employee with four and half year old school girl      |   2017 | An advisory has been issued to school.                                                                                                                                     |
|   10 | Aurum The Global School, Haldwani, Nanital, Uttarakhand                                                   | Mentally & Sexually harassment                                               |   2017 | The Board has asked explanation of school and reply is awaited.                                                                                                            |
|   11 | Holy Cross International School, Lekha Nagar, Ashopur, Danapur, Near DAV School Cantt. Road, Patna, Bihar | A girl student of class-II was sexually assaulted by school's sweeper        |   2017 | The Board has sent letter dated 08.12.2017 to the school authority and Addl. Secretary, Education Department, Bihar, Patna for providing the facts/comments on the matter. |
|   12 | Kendriya Vidlaya No. 1, Ishapore, West Bengal                                                             | Sexually abused and mentally threatened by one non permanent staff of school |   2015 | The complaint has been forwarded to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, New Delhi to take necessary action at their end.                                                         |

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2268  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  1 ST JANUARY, 2018  ASKED  BY  SHRIMATI RANJEET RANJAN, SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI, SHRI RAJESH RANJAN, SHRIMATI SANTOSH  AHLAWAT,  SHRIMATI  RANJANBEN  BHATT  REGARDING  'SAFETY  OF STUDENTS'

Statement showing number of private schools State/UT wise

| No.   |                          | Number of Private Schools      | Number of Private Schools      |
|-------|--------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| No.   | State/UTs                | Elementary /Secondary Schools* | Standalone Secondary Schools** |
| 1.    | ANDAMAN &NICOBAR ISLANDS | 69                             | -                              |
| 2.    | ANDHRA PRADESH           | 13994                          | 22                             |
| 3.    | ARUNACHAL PRADESH        | 490                            | 4                              |
| 4.    | ASSAM                    | 4173                           | 851                            |
| 5.    | BIHAR                    | 3735                           | 715                            |
| 6.    | CHANDIGARH               | 73                             | -                              |
| 7.    | CHHATTISGARH             | 6147                           | 238                            |
| 8.    | DADRA&NAGAR HAVELI       | 33                             | -                              |
| 9.    | DAMAN &DIU               | 22                             | -                              |
| 10.   | DELHI                    | 2682                           | -                              |
| 11.   | GOA                      | 145                            | -                              |
| 12.   | GUJARAT                  | 9984                           | 1777                           |
| 13.   | HARYANA                  | 7132                           | 4                              |
| 14.   | HIMACHAL PRADESH         | 2706                           | 6                              |
| 15.   | JAMMU &KASHMIR           | 5363                           | 9                              |
| 16.   | JHARKHAND                | 1146                           | 129                            |
| 17.   | KARNATAKA                | 13834                          | 3037                           |
| 18.   | KERALA                   | 3170                           | 44                             |
| 19.   | LAKSHADWEEP              | -                              | -                              |
| 20.   | MADHYA PRADESH           | 26677                          | 565                            |
| 21.   | MAHARASHTRA              | 15718                          | 3317                           |
| 22.   | MANIPUR                  | 855                            | 15                             |
| 23.   | MEGHALAYA                | 1759                           | 511                            |
| 24.   | MIZORAM                  | 700                            | 194                            |
| 25.   | NAGALAND                 | 717                            | 1                              |
| 26.   | ODISHA                   | 3715                           | 30                             |
| 27.   | PUDUCHERRY               | 278                            | -                              |
| 28.   | PUNJAB                   | 6874                           | 54                             |
| 29.   | RAJASTHAN                | 34846                          | 200                            |
| 30.   | SIKKIM                   | 439                            | -                              |
| 31.   | TAMIL NADU               | 10840                          | 8                              |
| 32.   | TELANGANA                | 11262                          | -                              |
| 33.   | TRIPURA                  | 298                            | -                              |
| 34.   | UTTAR PRADESH            | 74244                          | 8408                           |
| 35.   | UTTARAKHAND              | 5204                           | 76                             |
| 36.   | WEST BENGAL              | 10190                          | 1                              |
| Total | Total                    | 279514                         | 20216                          |

* Source : UDISE 2016-17 (Provisional)      **Source: UDISE 2015-16