Child Protection – Delhi Orders Safety Committees in Every School by July End

Child Protection –   Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday reviewed the progress of Child Protection Month initiatives at Raj Niwas, with a focus on strengthening safety systems for students across the capital.

The meeting examined programmes, awareness campaigns and institutional safeguards being implemented during July. Officials discussed how schools, police and other departments can improve coordination to protect children and respond effectively to safety concerns.

Safety checklist introduced across Delhi schools

The education department told the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister that a detailed student safety checklist is being rolled out in all 5,633 schools in Delhi. The checklist follows guidelines issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

The schools covered under the initiative include 1,077 Delhi government schools, 198 government-aided institutions, 2,612 schools run by the MCD, NDMC and Delhi Cantonment Board, and 1,746 private schools.

Officials said the checklist is intended to help schools assess and improve arrangements related to student security, reporting mechanisms, staff preparedness and child-friendly support systems.

Committees to be formed in all institutions

Child protection committees have already been established in all Delhi government schools under the POCSO Act. During the review, the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister directed authorities to ensure that similar committees are set up in every school across the city by the end of July.

The committees are expected to support schools in identifying child safety issues, improving internal procedures and ensuring that concerns are handled through proper channels.

The direction covers government, aided, civic body-run and private schools, bringing all educational institutions under a common child protection framework.

Teachers and staff receive POCSO training

The education department is also conducting training sessions for teachers, school employees and master trainers on responsibilities under the POCSO Act. The programme aims to improve awareness of legal obligations and help school personnel recognise situations that may require timely intervention.

Special attention is being given to the safety requirements of children with special needs. Officials said schools are being encouraged to adopt measures that make safety procedures accessible and suitable for every student.

Educational and vocational counsellors are holding sessions for children on subjects including safe and unsafe touch, personal boundaries and gender sensitivity. These discussions are intended to help students understand how to seek assistance and report uncomfortable or unsafe situations.

Self-defence training is also being offered in schools as part of the wider awareness and safety effort.

Delhi Police strengthens district-level monitoring

Delhi Police informed the meeting that it has begun several measures aimed at improving the safety of schoolchildren. To strengthen supervision of child safety-related cases, an additional deputy commissioner of police has been appointed as the nodal officer in every district.

The designated officer will report to the respective deputy commissioner of police, creating a district-level monitoring structure for cases involving children.

Officials said the arrangement is expected to improve communication between police units and other agencies dealing with child protection matters.

Leaders seek permanent child safety framework

The Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister said child protection efforts should continue beyond the July campaign. They directed departments and institutions to make such initiatives a regular and permanent part of their functioning.

The review underlined the need for schools and public authorities to maintain safety standards throughout the year rather than treating child protection as a limited-period activity.