Safety Audits to be conducted by School Education Department Secretaries of All States and UTs: NCPCR

Vinod Kakumanu
May 23, 2022, 10:18 a.m.

Orders regarding the safety of school children have been sent by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to all schools. The Commission has written to the secretaries of the School Education departments of all states and union territories (UTs) to conduct safety audits of all schools in their states and UTs, and submit reports by May 31, 2022.

NCPCR is a statutory body constituted under section 3 of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005 with the objective of protecting child rights and other related matters in the country. The Commission is also responsible for monitoring the effective implementation of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015, and Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009.

Due to recent reports of accidents and mishaps in schools coming to the forefront after their reopening for physical learning, this decision of conducting safety audits has been taken. These reported incidents are mainly linked to the school infrastructure, such as the collapsing of the school boundary walls, and demise of school children on school transport.

Letters have also been sent to Secretaries of State Transport Department of all states and UTs by the NCPCR, ordering them to conduct safety audits of school transportation including buses, vans, and mini-buses.