Haryana Education Minister Rambilas Sharma, who visited the city in the aftermath of a seven-year-old student being brutally murdered on Ryan International School premises, Gurugram, made it clear that the school management has to take responsibility for the safety and security of the children. "We are issuing directives in this regard to all schools, including private ones," he said.
"The school management has totally failed to keep students safe on the campus. The school authority is completely responsible for the brutal murder of the student," the Minister said. The Minister said the school has ignored shocking security lapses on the premises. The boundary wall of the school was not up to the mark and there were several ways of friendly entry and exit in the school. Also, the window of the toilet in which the boy's body found was broken.
Around 40 bus drivers and conductors didn't have separate toilet facilities, said sources, adding that there was no security checking system in the school and several locations inside the campus were not under CCTV surveillance. The security guards outside the washroom were also not available.
"We held a meeting to discuss the issue in which the demand to de-recognise the school came up, but we also had to take into account the fact that 1,200 students are studying there. The parents of the students studying in this school were against this step and, therefore, we felt taking such a step will not be right," the Minister said. "However, for any kind of lapse, by the management or the owner, we have initiated action," he said.
There was no delay in arresting the accused, said the Minister, adding that he is now in police custody for three days. "Now, within a week, police after collecting all necessary evidence will submit a chargesheet in court. However, still if the parents are not satisfied, then the Haryana Government is ready to get the matter probed by any agency. I am hopeful that when we will produce the accused before court within a week with all evidence collected by police, the parents of the child will be satisfied with the action being taken," he said.
The Minister said they have full sympathy with the parents of the child. “If there is any issue of providing financial help, the Haryana Government will be willing to help," he said. The Minister made it clear that the Haryana Government will not show any leniency in the matter.
He further said the three- member committee will submit their report on the school's security lapses by Monday and appropriate actions will be taken against the school.
“The school bus transportation contract has been cancelled. It will be school’s responsibility to drop the children from school to house or house to school with safety. The new guideline will be announced on Monday," Sharma said.
"The shocking incident which had occurred with the small boy should not happen again in the State, we will ensure that the school authorities from time to time update security norms," he said.