Maharashtra forms 18-member committee to frame policy for student safety in schools after Badlapur case

NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at ensuring the safety of school children, the Maharashtra government has formed an 18-member high-level committee under the leadership of a retired Bombay High Court judge. This decision comes in the wake of a tragic incident in Badlapur, Thane district, where two minors from a local school were reportedly subjected to sexual assault, prompting a suo-moto public interest litigation (PIL) by the Bombay High Court.

As per the official notice, the committee seeks to frame policies to address the safety concerns of students across the state. The incident in Badlapur not only raised alarm over the safety protocols in schools but also triggered widespread discussions on preventive measures to protect children in educational institutions. The High Court, during its hearing on September 3, 2024, expressed concern over student safety and directed the state government to submit a detailed report outlining the steps it had taken and planned in response to the incident.

As per the government order, the committee will be chaired by Shalini Narsalkar-Joshi, a retired judge of the Bombay High Court, with another retired judge, Sadhana S Jadhav, serving as the co-chairperson. The committee comprises a diverse group of members, including education and child welfare commissioners, police officers, education researchers, and representatives from both government and private institutions.

Addressing student safety concerns

The primary objectives of the committee will be to review existing government regulations and guidelines regarding student safety, including those related to transportation and protection during school hours. They will also assess the implementation of the POCSO Act and other child protection laws to ensure their effectiveness. The committee will propose immediate and long-term measures to enhance safety in schools, focusing on prevention strategies. In a noteworthy inclusion, representatives from parent groups and NGOs working in child safety have also been inducted into the committee.

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Committee members

The high-level committee will include the following 18 members.

• Shalini Narsalkar-Joshi, Retired Judge, Bombay High Court - Chairperson
• Sadhana S. Jadhav, Retired Judge, Bombay High Court - Co-chairperson
• Meera Borwankar, Retired IPS Officer - Member
• Commissioner, Women and Child Development, Pune - Member
• Commissioner (Education), Maharashtra State, Pune - Member
• Transport Commissioner, Maharashtra State, Mumbai - Member
• Director, State Educational Research and Training Council, Maharashtra, Pune - Member
• Director of Education (Secondary and Higher Secondary) - Member
• Joint Commissioner, Women and Child Development, Pune - Member
• Sucheta Bhavalkar, Principal, V.N. Sule High School, Dadar, Mumbai - Member
• Jaywanti Baban Sawant, Principal, Sudhagad Institution, Navi Mumbai - Member
• Harish Shetty, Psychologist - Member
• Brian Seymour, President, ICSE and ISC Pre-Schools in Maharashtra and Goa (AISM) - Member
• Inspector of ICSE and ISC Pre-Schools, as nominated by the Chairperson - Member
• Two Class-A officers from the School Education and Women and Child Development departments as nominated by the Chairperson - Members
• Two representatives from NGOs working on student safety, as nominated by the Chairperson - Members
• Two representatives from parents, as nominated by the Chairperson - Members
• Director of Education (Primary) - Member-Secretary

Committee responsibilities

As per the official notice, the work of the committee will be as follows:

Review of guidelines : The committee will review all government resolutions, circulars, and guidelines issued from time to time regarding the safety of students in all schools.

Safety measures: It will suggest safety measures for students within the school premises as well as during transportation to and from school.

Implementation of laws: The committee will propose actions to ensure the effective implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other related laws.

Immediate action plan : As per the court's order dated September 3, 2024, the committee will recommend measures for student safety outlined in its interim report. The department should separate the actionable measures for immediate implementation and submit a report to the government through the Commissioner of Women and Child Development.

Additional measures: In addition to the above, the committee will recommend any further necessary measures related to student safety.

The committee's chairperson will invite the additional director general of police (Prevention of Crimes Against Women), Maharashtra State, to participate in the meetings.

Coordination and reporting

The member-secretary, along with the Director of Education (Primary), will coordinate with the chairperson to arrange for office space and necessary resources to ensure the smooth functioning of the committee. The committee will submit its report on student safety measures to the government within two months.