BENGALURU: The state government will use the Karnataka Police Act to rein in errant private schools affiliated to central boards.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the decision on Friday at a meeting with education and police officials, where he discussed ways to stem the tide of sexual assaults on schoolchildren.
“Some schools affiliated to ICSE and CBSE are not letting our officials inside their premises. But under the Karnataka Police Act, we can act against them. If necessary, we will amend the act,” Siddaramaiah said.
He warned of action against schools ignoring the school safety guidelines issued by the police. “All government, private and aided schools must implement the guidelines. If they fail, criminal action will be initiated,” he said.
Government schools will not be exempted from the CCTV camera stipulation either. “We will release funds for the purpose,” he said.
Criminal Cases
Reacting to the Cambridge and Orchids cases, Siddaramaiah said criminal cases had been booked against the managements.
“The government and the managements must take responsibility. The managements must keep an eye on their staff,” he said. He urged the media not to overproject sexual assaults on children. “It may provoke more sadists to indulge in such crimes,” he said.
In four months, Bangalore has witnessed a series of sexual assaults on children, starting with one at Vibgyor, a school in Marathahalli.