CCPCR finds shortcomings at schools

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 10

A number of shortcomings were observed during an inspection by the Chandigarh Commissioner of Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) at Government Model Senior Secondary School (GMSSS), Sector 10, and DAV Public School, Sector 15.

The chairperson of the commission, Harjinder Kaur, was accompanied by Prof Nishtha Jaswal, member, CCPCR, and RTE consultant Chanchal Singh .

At the GMSSS-10, according to the CCPCR team, the school building was not properly maintained and windowpanes were found broken. There was no proper tap for drinking water. Disposal pipes were found missing and toilets lacked cleanliness.

Male sweeper was found cleaning girls’ toilets. No female attendant was found to guard the toilets. Vulgar comments were found written on the door of the girls’ toilet.

The CCPCR stressed the need to install CCTV cameras at all sensitive places in the school. The team pointed out wild growth in and around the school. Fire extinguishers had expired and there was no proper marking of rooms for the staff, medical and counselling room besides toilets.

When asked about the shortcomings, school principal Harbir Singh Anand said these were the result of the ongoing construction work in the school.

However, the team appreciated the management of the mid-day meal kitchen and the work done by the students and teachers of vocational courses.

At DAV Public School in Sector 15, the CCPCR team found that there was no proper marking on toilets meant for boys or girls.

“There was just one toilet meant for pre-primary students,” said school principal Anuja Sharma.

It called for an increase in the number of complaint boxes for students at proper places, advising the principal to check these on a daily basis.

It added that there should be CCTV cameras at all sensitive places such as the parking for school buses, playground and basement.

It called for a separate rest room, along with a washroom for drivers, conductors and women attendants. It recommended CCTV cameras in classrooms for playway, pre-nursery, nursery and KG students.

On one of the floors, senior class is adjoining the junior section which needed to be segregated.

The team found that there was no visible date on fire extinguishers.

But Sharma denied all the observations. “We have 40 CCTV cameras, covering all sensitive places. We have CCTV cameras in classrooms for pre-primary classes. We showed them bills of filling of fire extinguishers,” she said.