- The School and Mass Education Department of Odisha has released a comprehensive directive that aims to increase school safety and inclusiveness
- It is centered on being proactive in ensuring a safe and friendly environment in each school building
- The action will ensure that the learning environment is more supportive and accommodating for all students in the state
The Odisha School and Mass Education Department has released a detailed order to all District Education Officers (DEOs) and District Project Coordinators (DPCs) to improve safety and inclusivity in educational institutions.
The order requires immediate action to ensure the safety of female employees in workplaces as well as to provide a safe space for students in every school. It emphasizes the compulsory implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and instructs eligible institutions to establish or update their Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs).
For gender sensitivity of students, schools are encouraged to include the BARNALI Gender Equity Programme in academic and co-curricular endeavours. Furthermore, schools have been requested to place critical helpline numbers like Women Helpline (181), Child Helpline (1098), Police Emergency Response (112), and School Student Helpline (1800-345-6722) in open display so that support services are readily accessible.
Shalini Pandit, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to the Government has signed the order that has been circulated to all the DEOs along with guidelines for forced compliance and supervision. This scheme is a crucial stride towards institutional responsibility and protection of women and students along the entire education system in Odisha.
