Ludhiana: DEO cracks down on student safety lapses in primary schools
Among the institutions visited were government primary schools (GPS) in Division Number 3, Madhopuri and Lakkar Bazaar.
DEO Kaur mentioned that during her visit at GPS Division Number 3, one classroom and an adjacent storeroom were found to be structurally unsafe. 'Despite the structural concerns, the school was found to be maintaining a healthy learning environment. The mid-day meal facilities were clean and well-maintained, and the students' academic progress under the state's Mission Samrath programme was found satisfactory,' she added.
The Lakkar Bazaar school, currently functioning from the premises of Government Senior Secondary School (multipurpose), raised further safety concerns. The kitchen and the adjoining verandah were identified as structurally unsafe. The school head was instructed to take immediate steps to ensure student safety and to maintain cleanliness in and around the school premises.
'At Government Primary School, Madhopuri, while the academic level of students was found satisfactory during the inspection, cleanliness remained a major issue,' noted Kaur. Piles of garbage near the main gate prompted the DEO to instruct the school in-charge to coordinate with the local municipal councillor to get the area cleaned. Further, she advised strict monitoring to ensure hygiene is maintained in the future, keeping in mind the health and safety of the children.
The DEO emphasised that the safety and well-being of students is the top priority and directed school authorities to take immediate corrective measures wherever required. 'The concerns regarding unsafe buildings have been duly noted, and necessary action will be initiated promptly,' she affirmed with assurance.
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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: DEO cracks down on student safety lapses in primary schools
In a move to ensure student safety and improve infrastructure, Ravinder Kaur, district education officer (elementary), along with her team including management information system (MIS) coordinator Vishal Kumar, conducted a surprise inspection of several government schools across the city on Friday. The visit was aimed at reviewing classroom conditions and identifying unsafe rooms or buildings within the school premises. Ludhiana, India – August 08, 2025: Ravinder Kaur, District Education Officer (Elementary), conducted a surprise inspection of several government schools across the city on Friday, aimed at reviewing classroom conditions and identifying unsafe rooms or buildings within the school premises in Ludhiana on Friday. (HT Photo) Among the institutions visited were government primary schools (GPS) in Division Number 3, Madhopuri and Lakkar Bazaar. DEO Kaur mentioned that during her visit at GPS Division Number 3, one classroom and an adjacent storeroom were found to be structurally unsafe. 'Despite the structural concerns, the school was found to be maintaining a healthy learning environment. The mid-day meal facilities were clean and well-maintained, and the students' academic progress under the state's Mission Samrath programme was found satisfactory,' she added. The Lakkar Bazaar school, currently functioning from the premises of Government Senior Secondary School (multipurpose), raised further safety concerns. The kitchen and the adjoining verandah were identified as structurally unsafe. The school head was instructed to take immediate steps to ensure student safety and to maintain cleanliness in and around the school premises. 'At Government Primary School, Madhopuri, while the academic level of students was found satisfactory during the inspection, cleanliness remained a major issue,' noted Kaur. Piles of garbage near the main gate prompted the DEO to instruct the school in-charge to coordinate with the local municipal councillor to get the area cleaned. Further, she advised strict monitoring to ensure hygiene is maintained in the future, keeping in mind the health and safety of the children. The DEO emphasised that the safety and well-being of students is the top priority and directed school authorities to take immediate corrective measures wherever required. 'The concerns regarding unsafe buildings have been duly noted, and necessary action will be initiated promptly,' she affirmed with assurance.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Nuh finally gets DEO, but on additional charge with limited presence
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Time of India
03-08-2025
- Time of India
UT schools must report safety incidents within 24 hours under new audit order
1 2 Chandigarh: All schools in Chandigarh have been directed to report any safety-related incident, near miss, or hazard within 24 hours of its occurrence, as per a new enforcement order issued by the Directorate of School Education, UT Chandigarh. The directive, applicable to all government, government-aided, private recognised, and Central Government schools, forms part of the newly issued School Safety Audit Guidelines. The 24-hour mandatory reporting rule aims to instil a culture of institutional vigilance and immediate accountability. Any lapse in timely reporting will invite strict action, reinforcing the administration's declared zero-tolerance policy towards negligence that endangers student safety. The guidelines also mandate a comprehensive safety audit to be carried out by all schools, with detailed compliance reports to be submitted to the District Education Officer (DEO) by August 30. The DEO will submit a consolidated status report to the Directorate by Sept 10. The audits are to cover several critical safety components including the structural integrity of buildings, condition of fire safety systems, status of electrical wiring, and access control at gates and boundary walls. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Disaster preparedness measures such as marked evacuation routes and functioning alarms are to be verified. The School Safety and Disaster Management Plan must be prominently displayed in every classroom. In addition to physical safety, the guidelines include psycho-social safeguards. Schools must provide access to counselling services, implement peer-support mechanisms, and conduct regular mental health awareness activities. The aim is to create an emotionally safe and inclusive environment that supports student well-being. All school personnel and students are required to undergo regular emergency preparedness training, including evacuation drills and first aid sessions, to be conducted in coordination with the Fire Department, Police, Health Department, and the State Disaster Management Authority. Responsibility for audit compliance has been clearly defined. Government schools are to be inspected by civil, electrical, and public health teams deployed by the Chief Engineer, UT Chandigarh. Government-aided, private recognised, and Central Government schools must engage certified safety audit agencies at their own level. The guidelines also place strong emphasis on community participation. Schools are expected to involve School Management Committees (SMCs), Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and local stakeholders in regular safety walks, incident monitoring, and feedback mechanisms to ensure a shared culture of accountability. Importantly, the order outlines that heads of schools, management bodies, and teachers are individually accountable for implementing all provisions, including the 24-hour reporting rule. Safety of students during commute is also included in their scope of responsibility. Officials say that while the national School Safety and Security Guidelines issued in 2021 were largely advisory, Chandigarh's directive gives the framework enforcement teeth. It integrates legal mandates from the RTE Act, Juvenile Justice Act, and POCSO Act, and incorporates performance metrics from NEP 2020 and the Performance Grading Index. Describing the 24-hour rule as a pivotal shift in approach, Director School Education Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar said, "This is not just about reacting to emergencies. It's about building a culture where prevention, preparedness, and response are institutional habits. Accountability starts the moment something goes wrong and it must be recorded within a day." With enforceable deadlines, defined responsibilities, and direct administrative oversight, Chandigarh's safety audit framework marks a systemic shift in how school safety is structured and monitored. BOXES What Chandigarh schools must comply with by August 30 1. 24-hour reporting rule All incidents, near-misses, or hazards must be reported within 24 hours Mandatory for all school types; non-reporting will attract action 2. Comprehensive safety audit Assess: building stability, fire safety, electrical wiring, boundary walls, gates Evaluate: evacuation routes, alarms, first-aid kits 3. Emergency preparedness Evacuation drills and first-aid training for all staff and students Must be coordinated with Fire, Police, Health, and Disaster Management teams Safety and disaster plan to be displayed in every classroom 4. Psychosocial safety Schools must provide counselling, peer-support systems, and mental health activities 5. Community involvement SMCs, PTAs, and local stakeholders to join safety walks, feedback, and vigilance 6. Audit responsibility by school type Govt schools: audit by UT engineering teams Aided, private, central govt schools: audit via certified agencies 7. Reporting and monitoring timeline Schools to submit compliance reports by August 30 DEO to submit compiled audit status to Directorate by September 10 Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
