<p>Bengaluru: Recent incidents wherein miscreants poisoned water tanks at government schools in Belagavi and Shivamogga have prompted the Department of School Education and Literacy to lay down a 25-point Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure safety of the students. Headmasters and other staff at the school will have to follow the SOP daily as part of their daily routine.</p>.<p>The circular issued by the department instructs headmasters to conduct a thorough inspection of the school premises prior to the commencement of classes. Drinking water must be tested for any sign of chemicals or odour, besides ensuring the sump and tanks are cleaned regularly, and kept locked. Staff must also take steps to ensure the lavatories in the school are kept clean, besides taking care to keep a first-aid kit ready for use on the campus.</p>.<p>Headmasters must mandatorily update the status of the inspection daily on the Students’ Achievement Tracking System (SATS) portal. Given that unknown miscreants were the ones who laced the water tank with poisonous substances, headmasters have been asked to take steps to ensure that those entering the premises sign their name in the visitors’ book along with their mobile number. Visitors who are not parents must also mention the purpose of the visit to the school, besides specifying whom they wish to meet.</p>.CM Siddaramaiah condemns poisoning of school water to oust Muslim headmaster.<p>Although circulars have been issued in the past, replete with references to regulations laid down in the Right to Education Act, 2009, RTE Rules, 2012, and other legislations, incidents potentially threatening the safety of students continue to be reported in various districts of the state, rued the department. Furthermore, the department has instructed Deputy Directors of Public Instruction, Block Education Officers and Nodal Officers to make regular visits to schools in their jurisdiction to ensure the headmasters are complying with the SOP. </p>.<p>“Action will be initiated against headmasters and local officials if they fail to follow the SOP,” warned a senior official in the Department of School Education and Literacy.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Recent incidents wherein miscreants poisoned water tanks at government schools in Belagavi and Shivamogga have prompted the Department of School Education and Literacy to lay down a 25-point Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure safety of the students. Headmasters and other staff at the school will have to follow the SOP daily as part of their daily routine.</p>.<p>The circular issued by the department instructs headmasters to conduct a thorough inspection of the school premises prior to the commencement of classes. Drinking water must be tested for any sign of chemicals or odour, besides ensuring the sump and tanks are cleaned regularly, and kept locked. Staff must also take steps to ensure the lavatories in the school are kept clean, besides taking care to keep a first-aid kit ready for use on the campus.</p>.<p>Headmasters must mandatorily update the status of the inspection daily on the Students’ Achievement Tracking System (SATS) portal. Given that unknown miscreants were the ones who laced the water tank with poisonous substances, headmasters have been asked to take steps to ensure that those entering the premises sign their name in the visitors’ book along with their mobile number. Visitors who are not parents must also mention the purpose of the visit to the school, besides specifying whom they wish to meet.</p>.CM Siddaramaiah condemns poisoning of school water to oust Muslim headmaster.<p>Although circulars have been issued in the past, replete with references to regulations laid down in the Right to Education Act, 2009, RTE Rules, 2012, and other legislations, incidents potentially threatening the safety of students continue to be reported in various districts of the state, rued the department. Furthermore, the department has instructed Deputy Directors of Public Instruction, Block Education Officers and Nodal Officers to make regular visits to schools in their jurisdiction to ensure the headmasters are complying with the SOP. </p>.<p>“Action will be initiated against headmasters and local officials if they fail to follow the SOP,” warned a senior official in the Department of School Education and Literacy.</p>
