Badlapur sexual assault: Sex education, sensitising staff key, say educators

Mumbai: The alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls at a Badlapur school earlier this month prompted the Maharashtra government to issue guidelines for the security and safety of children in schools across the state last week. “At the core of the recent issue,” said the principal of a Colaba-based private aided school, “is the government policy that permits schools to fill various positions through third-party associations. “We demand that the state start appointing class IV employees to safeguard educational institutions.” Maharashtra school education minister Deepak Kesarkar said the government is evaluating whether appointing class IV employees through third-party contractors is a problem. However, there remains a question mark over how thoroughly these measures will be implemented.” During an interaction with the media, school education minister Kesarkar revealed that 82,000 of the 100,000-plus government schools in the state have established Sakhi Savitri committees. Counsellors working closely with both teaching and non-teaching staff will greatly benefit the overall ecosystem of schools.” Commenting on the recent GR regarding safety guidelines in schools, the principal of an aided school in Bandra said, “Not every school management can afford to appoint a full-time counsellor, despite the guidelines.