Srinagar, Oct 28: In a significant move, Director of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) has asked all government and private schools in the Jammu division to adhere to the 'Guidelines on School Safety and Security' developed by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India. The directive is aimed at ensuring the comprehensive growth of children, besides establishing accountability for school management regarding the safety and security of students enrolled in government, government-aided, and private schools.

In an official circular, Director of School Education Jammu (DSEJ), Ashok Kumar Sharma, said that a safe and secure environment is a prerequisite for effective teaching and learning.

"The importance of safety in schools cannot be denied, as it aids in students' emotional, mental, and physical development. As per the guidelines of NEP-2020, a good educational institution is one in which each student feels welcomed and cared for and where a safe and stimulating learning environment exists,"circular reads.

It states that there is a strong need to create a safe and secure school environment for the holistic development of children and to make different stakeholders aware of the acts, policies, procedures, and guidelines already available on different aspects of safety and security, i.e., physical, socio-emotional, cognitive, and specific to natural disasters as well.

"The 'Guidelines on School Safety and Security, circulated by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, for fixing the accountability of the school management in the matter of the safety and security of children studying in government, government-aided, and private schools, are enclosed," the circular reads.

The director further said that, in view of the above, it is enjoined upon all the heads of schools, both government and private, to adhere to 'Guidelines on School Safety and Security in letter and spirit.