SCHOOL POLICIES & COMMITTEES

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act 2012 All children have an equal right to access education in an environment that is safe, protective and conducive to the overall development. The challenges of gender inequality, eve teasing and sexual abuse in school environment call for increased awareness and creating synergy among parents, teachers and schools.

1. School/Classroom Environment

School ensures a harmonious school/classroom environment and inclusiveness.

2. Provision for guidance and counselling facilities in school

Teachers in general are trained to attend to adolescent (gender) related issues, regular conduct of adolescent education programmes and special activities that promote gender equality and sensitivity.

3. Programmes for empowerment of girls

Workshops on sensitization of girls on health, sanitation & adolescent concerns. Programmes like nukkad nataks, poster competitions, debates, special assemblies are conducted to foster gender equality.

4. School Child Protection Committee consisting of Principal/Vice- Principal, one male teacher, one female teacher, one female student, one male student and one non-teaching staff member exists as a redressal body to take immediate action on reported cases of misbehavior.
5. Complaint / Suggestion boxes have beenprovided in school so that students can make written complaints. Any complaint of sexual abuse, whether received through the drop box or otherwise is acted upon immediately.
6. Provision for CCTV cameras to ensure the safety & security of children.
7. Toll Free number and child helpline is displayed at prominent places in the school.

ANTI-CORPORAL PUNISHMENT POLICY

The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE, 2009), clearly states that no child shall be subjected to “physical punishment or mental harassment” in schools.

The concept of punishment has always nursed a sense of fear and learning does not occur in a fear prone environment

Many other methods of discipline are effective in promoting self-control, eliminating undesirable behaviors and promoting desired behaviors in children. The school recommends non-violent methods of addressing inappropriate behavior, such as behavior management and counselling.

The School believes that there is no scope for punishments in the learning environment and the teachers should adopt strategies by which the learner realizes one’s mistake

THE SCHOOL HAS A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

ANTI BULLYING POLICY
POLICY PROHIBITING HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND BULLYING

Bullying is most commonly witnessed amongst students, though not overtly it can be:

SCHOOL POLICY ON PROHIBITION OF HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND BULLYING:

• The School prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying.  A safe and civil environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards.
• Students learn by example therefore school administrators, faculty, staff and volunteers are expected to demonstrate appropriate behavior, treating others with civility, respect and refusing to tolerate harassment, intimidation or bullying.
• Students and staff are to behave in a way that creates a conducive learning environment. The best discipline is self-imposed, and the staff responsibility takes use instances of violations of the school’s policies and rules and regulations as opportunities for helping students learn to assume and accept responsibility for their behavior and the consequences of their behavior.
• Staff to follow the equality policy; and support every child in the school. Staff is careful not to highlight differences of children or an individual child, even if this is done in jest.
• When an incident of bullying takes place, staff records & reports each incident to Principal / Vice Principal / Headmistress for immediate redressal.

DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY
Substance abuse / illegal drugs means any unlawful, intoxicating or stupefying substances, these include tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs and other psychoactive compound.
Substance abuse is prohibited by law and severe action will be taken against perpetrators.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The aim of this policy is to encourage all students to abstain from using any drugs (other than those which are medically prescribed), including alcohol and tobacco.
POSITION

• The school does not tolerate:
• The use or possession of any illegal or prohibited substance;
• The possession of drug-related equipment such as cigarette papers, pipes, electric hookah, Matches, lighters, bottle ends, foils or other;
• The consumption of alcohol and the smoking of tobacco.

If any student is involved in dealing or selling any of the above mentioned substances, disciplinary action will be taken.
PROCEDURE
Anybody found in possession of or using any of these substances either on school property, or when in school uniform, or when under the supervision of the school, or attending school-related functions including sports outings, tours and social events, will be subject to the following procedure:

• The student’s parents will be informed of the alleged involvement and will be required to meet the Principal, and Vice Principal
• Disciplinary action against the student may follow if, in the opinion of the hearing, this is warranted by the nature of the student’s involvement with drugs. The results of such disciplinary action may include the provision of support, including counselling, to a range of punishments which may include recommendation for suspension or expulsion.
• When an incident takes place, staff records & reports each incident to Principal / Vice Principal / Headmistress for immediate redressal.

PLEASE NOTE!
Dealing in drugs or involving others in their use will normally result in a recommendation that the pupil be expelled from the school.
CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE : Click here
CYBER SAFETY POLICY
Computers have revolutionized much of modern lf either directly or indirectly and learning how to use them safely and appropriately in school is extremely important.
Hence all end users i.e. students, teachers & parents must abide by the following rules and regulations to ensure protection from misuse.

1. Never open an email from unknown source as it may contain viruses that can harm your computer.
2. Never give friends details.
3. Don’t send pictures to strangers.
4. Never meet up with anyone you meet online.
5. Remember that people may not be who they say they are.
6. Most reputable chat rooms allow you to block messages from particular sender.
7. Passwords should be kept private (except from parents).Change your passwords often and keep stronger passwords.
8. Use social network’s privacy setting so only friends can see your data.
9. Immediately inform an adult you trust (teacher/parent); if you are being cyber bullied.
10. Install and maintain a firewall on your computer.
11. Use a modern browser with features such as a pop-up blocker.

TIPS FOR PARENTS

1.  Do not provide your children with smart phones at an early age.
2.  Password protect your phone.
3. Place the computer in an open area in your home.
4. Install parental control (content filtering) software.
5. Learn Internet basics, be approachable and lead by example.
6. Talk to your children and spend quality time with them discussing the risks involved in insecure internet surfing.
7. Keep the lines of communication open so your child will be comfortable talking about if something is worrying them.

CYBER SAFETY COMMITTEE : Click here