Schools failing to implement child-safety guidelines, says SHRC amid attacks

The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Monday (November 9, 2026) stated that many educational institutions are not following the stipulated manual for safety and security of children.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) developed a manual on safety and security of children in schools, which remained on paper only. Even though several guidelines were issued by the government and the courts on child safety, no measures were taken by the schools or the authorities concerned, it stated.

The SHRC highlighted that the Director of School Education, Andhra Pradesh, had issued instructions in August 2025 directing the Regional Joint Directors (RJDs) and the District Education Officers (DEOs) to strengthen security and take steps to prevent unauthorised entry of unauthorised persons into schools without prior permission from the heads of the institutions. But, many schools have not implemented these guidelines. it added.

The remarks come in the wake of the recent attack on two Class X students at Raptadu Zilla Parishad High School by a youth wielding an electric chainsaw in Anantapur district. The SHRC took suo motu notice of the incident based on a news report published in The Hindu.

The tragic incident occurred on October 31 due to the failure of the school management to implement the government directions, as observed by the SHRC.

The school management should install CCTV cameras, appoint watchmen, security guards (male and female), internal vigilance committees, and discuss the issues with staff and parents. “It was the duty of the head of the school to implement the safety and security guidelines strictly, but prima facie it appeared that the head of the Raptadu school failed to implement those instructions,” the Commission said in its order.