Lok Sabha Question No. 5603 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: Safety Measures in Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAMA DEVI, RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†5603 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  APRIL,  2018

## Safety Measures in Schools

## †5603.SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI: SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY:

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

- (a) the details of the shortcomings found in Ryan School after the death of a child in this school;
- (b) the details of the action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) the outcome thereof;
- (d) the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (e) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  enhance  safety  measures  in  all  the schools?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The  Central  Board  of  Secondary  Education  has  informed  that  an  enquiry  was conducted by a team of two members deputed by the CBSE in the matter of the death in  Ryan  School,  Gurugram.  Following  are  the  main  shortcomings  identified  by  the enquiry committee:

'There  were  no  separate  toilets  for  the  drivers  and  conductors  who  were engaged by the  school.  They  were  using  the  facilities  meant  for  students  and other  staff.  The  toilets  had  no  window  grills  to  stop  unauthorized  entry  from outside. No attendant/ Aaya were present at the toilets for small children. There was  no  regular  Principal  and  the  school  was  being  looked  after  by  the  acting Principal on the day of the incident. The school was not in possession of valid fire safety   certificate.  Potable  drinking  water  was not being provided by the school. No provisions for differently abled children were found in school. CCTV cameras installed in school were not sufficient and functioning. The boundary wall was not of adequate height. The upper floors which were not in use were not locked and secured from entry of school children. The school management failed to inform police  and  education  department  regarding  incident  of  death  and  same  was informed by the parent to the police'.

(b) to (d): Immediately upon the reporting of incident, an enquiry committee consisting of Principal of Government School and Deputy Commissioner of KendriyaVidyalaySanghthan was constituted by the CBSE and on the basis of finding of the  enquiry  report,  a  show  cause  notice  was  issued  to  the  school.  In  the  meantime, Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram was appointed as administrator of school by the State Government.  Subsequently, a letter was received from the Deputy Commissioner-cumAdministrator  that  the  shortcoming  have  been  made  good  and  keeping  in  mind  the future of children studying in the school the school may not be disaffiliated. The State Government of Haryana has been requested to indicate the position taken by them in this matter. Reply from the State Government is awaited.

(e): National  Commission  for  Protection  of  Child  Rights  and  National  Disaster Management Authority have issued comprehensive guidelines in connection with safety of school children i.e., (i) Manual of safety and security of children in School (NCPCR); (ii) Regulatory guideline for hostels of educational institutions for children   (NCPCR);(iii) Regulatory guidelines for private play schools (NCPCR); and (iv) Guidelines on school safety Policy (NDMA).

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