Mumbai: Schools, Colleges to tighten safety measures ahead of New Year

Mumbai: Schools and colleges have upped their security during the Christmas vacation. Along with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras schools have increased security personnel, watchmen, and also have issued identification cards to the staff.

This move has come after the recent cases in schools which has instilled a fear in the minds of parents. Schools also aim to change certain methods of working before students come back from the Christmas break. These changes will be witnessed in all areas to ensure a safe and healthy environment and tackle the existing fear.

The school authorities mentioned vacation time is the best time to bring about changes in methods of working. A principal of a school said, “We want to start this new year with new initiatives. Every staff entering the school premises will have an identification (ID) card even if he is a conductor of a school bus or a peon. We aim to keep a close watch from the new year so that we can change the perspective of parents and build faith.”

In addition, schools stated they have increased peons, nanis and caretakers. Ruchi Mehra, a teacher said, “Recently, schools have changed the way they recruit staff. The process has become stringent with a thorough background check. Peons, nanis and caretakers have been explained their role and the kind of approach they should have towards children.”

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Last week the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) imparted training to students of Mumbai University (MU) on disaster management and safety measures. Sunny Shinde, a student said, “Social groups of colleges should come up with such training sessions in coordination with government agencies or BMC. In colleges we face different kinds of risk factors and we need to know how to deal with it.”

Schools have moved a step forward hy training parents and informing them about the school environment. Mandira Jain, a parent said, “Teachers and volunteers from Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) have informed about us about daily events at school. We have a fear within us but we are glad as schools are being transparent and having a dialogue.”