CHENNAI: With schools set to reopen on Wednesday after summer vacation, the top brass of the city police on Tuesday held discussions with school managements to ensure students’ safety.
Correspondents and principals of around 300 schools took part in the discussion held at the police Commissioner’s office at Vepery.
The police force was represented by Additional Commissioner (South) K Shankar, Additional Commissioner (North) H M Jayaram and Joint Commissioners Santhosh Kumar (West), N Bhaskaran (North), K Bhavaneeswari (Traffic-South) and Prem Anand Sinha (Traffic-North).
Among the safety measures that were suggested by the police were installing CCTV cameras on the school premises and in adjoining roads to keep a check on entry of unauthorised persons.
In view of the recent accidents in swimming pools, well trained persons are to be at hand to respond to emergency situations. “Schools were asked to keep track of street vendors nearby and contact local police station if they harboured any suspicion on anyone,” an officer said. Schools have also been asked to enrol in specially created WhatsApp groups, formed by inspectors of all city police stations.
Secure steps
➊ Schools to seek certificate from police before appointing bus drivers and helpers. The bus crew’s full details must be verified and registered
➋ All school vehicles must be well maintained and their interiors and operation must be inspected regularly
➌ Parents must obtain full details and do a background check of auto and van drivers. That information must also be submitted to school managements
➍ Schools must allow parents and guardians to take their wards home right at the entrance of the school
➎ Schools to create special zones in front of their premises for vans and private vehicles to drop children
➏ If anyone other than parents and guardians come to pick up children, schools must call their parents for confirmation