Ryan School Fails to Submit Safety Report to Government

135 Gurugram schools failed to submit reports on safety for students to the Education Officers.

Parents protesting outside Ryan International School after the murder. Representational image.

(Photo: ANI)

On 8 September, eight-year-old Pradyumn Thakur was found dead on the premises of the Ryan International School in Bhondsi of Gurugram. Ever since then, the issue of school childrens’ safety has parents on high alert. In light of the incident, the District Magistrate issued notice to all schools under Section 144 of CrPC (Power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance of apprehended danger) to submit reports on the measures taken by the schools to ensure the safety of the children within the stipulated period of 15 days to the District Education Officer of Gurugram.

But 135 schools failed to comply with that order – including the Ryan International School in Gurugram Sector 40. Only 223 schools submitted a report on their safety measures to the authority. In response to this non-compliance with the order, the District Education Officer wrote a strong letter on 26 October to the Police Commissioner of Gurugram to take action against the 135 schools under Section 188 of Indian Panel Code (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).

The Quint spoke to Gurugram Commissioner of Police (CP) on Friday about the issue.

I have not received the letter yet. But we will certainly take action against the schools based on the information provided by the District Education Officer. 

Sandeep Khirwar, CP, Gurugram

While issuing the notice to the schools under Section 144 CrPC, the District Magistrate had mentioned eight points on the basis of which the schools’ administrations were supposed to submit the report to the District Education Officers.

These eight points were:

1. Schools to form a safety committee including 2 representatives of parents.
2. Schools to ensure that the fire equipment installed in the school are in working condition. Schools were also told to submit a fire safety certificate.
3. Non-teaching staff should have a separate toilet.
4. Sufficient CCTV cameras should be installed within school premises.
5. One female attendant should be present inside toilets meant for primary students.
6. Toilets meant for children with special needs should have ramps.
7. Schools buses should have CCTV cameras and GPS systems installed. A female attendant should be present in the bus while picking up and dropping students.
8. Police verification of all non-teaching staff is mandatory.