Pune: In light of a recent incident in Badlapur, the education department, along with the police, has initiated a rapid response to ensure the safety of students by mandating immediate character verification for all contractual workers and staff in schools.
Schools across the city have started the process of obtaining character verification certificates for their staff, causing a flurry of activity as institutions work to meet the new requirements.
Schools, including pre-primary, primary, secondary, and higher secondary institutions, are now focused on verifying the backgrounds of their non-teaching staff, such as van drivers, rickshaw drivers, helpers, and sanitation workers.
These individuals, who have close interactions with students, are being subjected to more stringent checks to ensure a safe school environment.
Pune Police Commissioner recently held a meeting with school administrators, management teams, and principals, during which specific guidelines were laid out for this verification process.
The police have instructed schools to ensure that character checks are conducted not just for regular employees but also for all contractual staff, such as security guards, sanitation workers, school bus drivers, and helpers.
Principals and school managers have informed contractual staff of the immediate requirement to submit character verification certificates. As a result, many schools are coordinating with local police stations to expedite the verification process.
Nandkumar Sagar, President of the Pune District Principals Association, pointed out that in many cases, accused individuals manage to escape legal consequences due to a lack of evidence or external pressure. He emphasized the need for the government and police authorities to implement stronger, more effective measures to protect students.
Similarly, Sujit Jagtap, President of the Pune City Principals Association, raised concerns over the longevity of these certificates. “Once the character verification certificate is obtained, there is no clarity on how long it will be valid. Will schools need to conduct fresh verifications after a few years? This issue requires more clarity,” he said.
Additional Measures for Student Safety
Assigning a counselor in every school to address student concerns.
Conducting workshops on topics like 'Safe Touch' to educate students about personal safety.
Establishing coordination between schools and the local 'Damini Squad,' a police initiative focused on women and children’s safety.
Providing students with martial arts and self-defense training.
Encouraging open communication between teachers, parents, and students to foster a safer environment.