PANAJI
The Directorate of Education has directed all schools within its jurisdiction to ensure that the area within a 500-metre radius of their campuses is maintained as a “drug-free zone”, with immediate effect.
The directive follows a recommendation from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Ministry of Home Affairs, as part of a nationwide initiative aimed at curbing drug abuse among students. In a circular issued on Thursday, Director Shailesh Zingde instructed heads of all government, aided and unaided secondary and higher secondary schools, as well as special schools, to take immediate and appropriate action to implement the recommendation.
“The school heads shall ensure that the area within a radius of 500 meters from the school premises is maintained as a Drug-Free Zone,” the circular states.
The Education Department has also directed school authorities to ensure strict compliance with the order with immediate effect.
The move seeks to create a protective buffer around educational institutions amid growing concerns over the exposure of students to drugs and other substance-abuse risks in areas surrounding schools.
