Pune: Several private schools in Pimpri-Chinchwad have ignored the orders to establish 'Sakhi Savitri' committees, designed to create a secure and supportive environment for students, particularly girls, in schools.
Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's (PCMC) School Education Department had instructed all schools to establish such committees, but the compliance has been lacking across the board.
The initiative, prompted by several incidents of child abuse across the state, including the assault of a minor in Badlapur and a harassment case involving a seventh-grade girl in Pimpri, sought to ensure that all schools have mechanisms in place to address student safety.
Despite the seriousness of the directive, the actual implementation has been slow. Some schools have formed committees only on paper, while others have failed to act altogether.
According to reports, the Education Department does not have precise data on how many schools have formed these committees. Out of the city's 674 schools, only 110 municipal schools are confirmed to have complied with the order.
The department lacks information on private, aided, English medium, and CBSE board schools, largely due to the failure of school inspectors to collect and submit this data.
The 'Sakhi Savitri' committees have a clear mandate: to create a safe and child-friendly environment in schools. These committees are expected to hold monthly meetings and raise awareness about laws protecting children from sexual offenses, including the POCSO Act.
They are also tasked with promoting tools such as the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights' 'E-Box' feature, the 'Chirag' app, and the 1098 child helpline.
