Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 1: In wake of recent tragic road accident in which 11 students lost their lives, the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir (DSEK) today directed the private schools for a volley of measures to ensure the safety of children in and outside the school premises.
In this regard, a circular issued by the department today stated that it has become imperative that safety measures, as prescribed by the extant norms, should be implemented by all the private schools.
The circular directed the concerned to put in place fire safety mechanism in the schools. “Ensure installation of fire extinguishing equipments in schools within a period of 15 days,” it said
The department has asked the private schools to implement school bus safety norms as well in letter and spirit while directing the concerned to periodically carry out evaluation of structural aspects of the school building on yearly basis.
“It is impressed upon all the existing private schools to develop their capacities and preparedness to handle unforeseen situations & circumstances. Ensure that the school building shall be free from inflammable and toxic materials, which if necessary should be stored safely,” the circular directs.
“The children cannot be compelled to receive education from an unsound and unsafe building and safety standards in school buses cannot be compromised with,” it said.
The circular warned that the department will take serious action against those who will fail to comply with the directions issued.
“The aforesaid instructions shall be complied with in letter and spirit and any defiance to the aforesaid instructions shall be viewed seriously, which may also attract suspension/ cancellation of registration granted by the competent authority,” it said.
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