THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State police chief Loknath Behera has issued guidelines for the safety of children in the state. He has given instructions to all district police chiefs in this regard against the backdrop of rising instances of crime against children in different parts of the country. The SIs and CIs of respective police stations have been instructed to take appropriate measures to make the guardians, parents and the school authorities aware of the issue. Behera also suggested constituting safety councils at schools to make the awareness on safety more effective. ADGP (South Zone) B Sandhya has been entrusted with the charge of overseeing the coordination of safety measures.
Guidelines
For school authorities and teachers
The DGP gave instructions to make sure all schools are properly fenced with compound walls and gates. Entry of people into the premises should be carried out through effective monitoring and verification. School staff and children should wear identity cards. Class teachers should collect the entire details of their students and share them regularly with the students’ parents. If any student is found to show behavioural change, that should be strictly inquired by the teachers.
Teachers should ensure students who go outside return in the stipulated time. School authorities should appoint a counsellor at high school and higher secondary school levels and inquire about the issues of students periodically. If any strange substances are found inside the bags of students, the staff should inform this to their parents or guardians. Parent-teachers’ meeting should be conducted periodically to evaluate the performance of students. Toilets in the schools should be checked at least thrice a day.
For parents or guardians
They should keep the details of the vehicle which ferry their children to school. Note the address, contact number and the contact number of nearest police stations in the notebook or diary. Bags of students should be properly checked once they return from school. Students should be given money very carefully. Parents should visit the school regularly and inquire about their ward’s performance.
The DGP further emphasised on the safety of travel to the schools and the vehicles which carry the students should comply with the rules.
Staying smart
Behera said cyber safety was a growing concern and parents should take care of their children dealing with smartphones and computers. Parents should ensure they have full control of smart phones used by their children.