Schools uneasy about affidavit on students’ safety

NOIDA: The district administration’s directive seeking an affidavit signed by members of the school management and principals seems to have become a bitter pill for private schools.

While the principals have communicated the administration’s direction to their respective managements, most of the schools TOI spoke to say that the management members are not at ease with the idea of taking the responsibility of children’s safety inside the school premises on a legal document.

In two meetings held with representatives of 125 private schools of Gautam Budh Nagar, district magistrate B N Singh had directed them to submit an affidavit on a Rs 100 stamp paper with the signatures of all the members of the board of directors/trustees/members and the principals.

The schools were told that in case they fail to submit self-certification to the office of district inspector of schools (DIOS) by August 5 and subsequent inspections reveal the schools are not complying with the guidelines, the administration will upload their names on its website stating that “these schools are unsafe for children” due to non-compliance of safety guidelines given by CBSE and UP government.

While on record, principals agree they have to get the document signed, only one school — Dharam Public School Noida — has so far sent the affidavit signed by the owner and the principal. However, since the affidavit did not follow the format prescribed by the district administration which was sent to all the schools, the legal document was not accepted, an official said.

A Principal of a prominent Noida school told TOI that the management is not happy with the administration wanting the owners to be made liable.

“It is a very difficult situation. The management just wants to pass the buck and the principals are merely puppets in their hands. The management has been apprised of the problems existing in the school but with cost cutting on agenda, there is no interest in fixing the same. There is no decision on the affidavit so far,” the principal said.

Another school principal said, “I would want this to happen but we’ve to depend on our management. We are not aware on what they will decide.”

Father Bento Rodrigues, manager of Father Agnel School, Greater Noida, said if the government wants the affidavit, the schools will have to give it. “We too have decided to sign it. The things the administration have asked us to comply with, will have to be done,” he said.