**Mumbai: Bombay High Court Expresses Dissatisfaction Over Maharashtra Government’s Child Safety Guidelines Implementation Report**
The Bombay High Court on Friday expressed dissatisfaction with the Maharashtra government’s report on the implementation of child safety guidelines in schools. These guidelines were issued following the 2024 sexual assault of two minor girls in a Badlapur school.
The Department of School Education and Sports had issued a Government Resolution (GR) pursuant to the High Court’s directions, after the court took suo motu cognisance of the incident.
### Bench Cites Glaring Lapses in Compliance Checks
A bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Sandesh Patil noted significant lapses in the compliance report. The report was prepared after officers from state departments physically inspected over 1 lakh schools across Maharashtra.
The bench observed that although some measures were implemented, critical safeguards remained neglected. These included insufficient CCTV coverage in many schools and the lack of background verification of staff members.
### “Not Happy” With Government’s Measures, Says High Court
The bench remarked, “You are waiting for some other incident to happen and then you will wake up? In your own government schools you have not taken steps,” emphasising it was “not happy” with the measures taken by the government so far.
### Amicus Curiae Describes Compliance as “Superficial”
Advocate Rebecca Gonsalves, appointed as amicus curiae (friend of the court), submitted a note stating that the compliance appeared “superficial.”
As of August 29, the note stated:
– Inspections conducted in 63,887 government and 44,435 private schools.
– CCTV cameras were missing in 45,315 government and 11,139 private schools.
– Background verification of staff was not conducted in 25,150 government and 15,675 private schools.
– Safety measures for student transportation—such as driver verification, GPS installation in buses, and appointment of female attendants—were absent in 46,188 government and 22,148 private schools.
– Visitor registers or codes of conduct were not maintained in 17,651 government and 9,333 private schools.
– School safety committees were non-existent in 2,266 government and 3,231 private schools.
– Provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act had not been communicated to the management of 12,104 government and 10,789 private schools.
Though CCTV cameras were installed in several schools, there was no verification to ensure they were sufficient in number, strategically placed, functional, or properly monitored.
### Key Safety Areas Completely Ignored
The court also flagged that several vital areas were not reviewed at all, including:
– Appointment of counsellors
– Functioning of complaint boxes
– CCTV monitoring protocols
– Safety of toilets
– Cyber safety awareness
– First aid provisions
– Self-defence training
– Disaster management plans
### Report Silent on Residential Schools and Anganwadis
Importantly, the report did not cover inspections of residential schools, anganwadis, ashramshalas, and observation homes. Additionally, no list of inspected schools was provided.
### HC Directs Transparency, Next Hearing on September 30
The court stated, “Orders are passed not to remain on paper but to be taken to their logical conclusion.”
It directed the School Education Department to upload details of compliance by schools on its website, ensuring that parents are informed about safety provisions and the extent of implementation.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 30.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bombay-hc-raps-maharashtra-govt-over-laxity-in-school-child-safety-guidelines
