the goan I network
VASCO
The need for a visitor's logbook, ID cards for visitors, separate toilets for staff, boys and girls, raising of compound walls and installation of CCTVs were some recommendations to schools in Vasco city.
Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes had convened a special meeting with school heads on Wednesday morning to discuss various safety measures for students under the Goa Children's Act.
MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik, ADEI Mormugao David Noronha and heads of 14 of 25 Vasco schools participated in the meeting.
Fernandes suggested that schools have basic infrastructure, while maintaining a visitor's log book, ID card for visitors, separate toilets for staff, boys and girls, raising of compound walls, installation of CCTVs, safety of children during transit, working of school buses as per Supreme Court guidelines, maintaining registers and manning school gates.
Some school heads complained that they were not able to use playgrounds like MPT and Tilak Maidan for sports, while others said counsellors appointed by the government were not present in schools and they could not install CCTVs due to lack of funds.
"A crime was recently detected because of CCTV camera and I suggest it is mandatory to have a CCTV installed in all schools. Any school which has paucity of funds can write to me and I will request a corporate in Vasco to adopt some schools under CSR, but children safety cannot be compromised," said Fernandes.
He also emphasised that government guidelines make it necessary to form a Vishaka Committee in schools, consisting of a girl student, principal, NGO and an authority. "This is mandatory by law and many schools are not aware. I will put it in place," said Fernandes.
Responding to concerns over loud horns near schools, Fernandes said he would request the police to patrol some school areas and also work on some silence zone or no-horn zones near schools.
CO to revive dormant child committee
VASCO: Not many may be aware that there should be child committees for every municipal council and Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes on Wednesday said he wanted to revive such sleeping committees to make Vasco a model town for safety of children.
"Under the laws, there is a child committee to protect the interests of children and students. I will take note of this meeting and add suggestions," said Fernandes during a special meeting with school heads to discuss safety measures under the Goa Children's Act.
"I want to conduct other meetings like this so that we can activate sleeping committees. This is a challenge to me and with everyone support, I will make Vasco a model town with regards to school safety," said Fernandes.
