The Noida district magistrate issued a new order to schools in response to the recent sexual assault occurrences that have occurred in the city school over the last two months. The DM’s ruling requires the district’s educational institutions to set up a “Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Committee” to investigate any reported cases.

According to a Times of India story, the aforementioned warning was released earlier this month, requiring school employees to get training on the POCSO Act’s requirements on child safety and protection. According to officials, it is vital to empower school personnel, particularly teachers, who constantly engage with children, in order to prevent recurrence of similar instances.

According to the recommendation, staff members should also get training on how to spot any indications of stress in children. According to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, sexual abuse reports must be handled by a committee in every school. However, the government has released an advisory to remind schools of the need for such a committee in the aftermath of a few campus sexual assault occurrences. We shall be able to avoid similar tragedies thanks to this,” Noida DM Manish Verma said.

He went on to say, “And if something happens, unfortunately, it can be dealt with with a heavy hand,” according to TOI.

According to the paper, each committee will be led by the principle of the school and should include parents, kids, teachers, representatives of the school administration, a counselor, and some outsiders like a child protection officer or an official from an NGO.

According to the advice, authorities must provide seminars for parents and kids to educate them about the Pocso Act’s requirements.

The head of the Child Welfare Committee, Dr. KC Virmani, commented on the advice, stating that the majority of the city’s schools lacked the necessary resources to deal with such situations. “The rise in incidents of sexual assault on college campuses is really concerning. In response to abuse accusations, school officials should take prompt, firm action. However, the majority lack proper equipment.

“Schools should raise awareness among parents as well as students and staff,” he said. They should understand what constitutes child abuse and be taught about their roles in providing a secure learning environment for their children, according to TOI.

“Accessible, private means for reporting abuse and swiftly handling any incidence must be available in schools. They need to collaborate closely with child welfare and law enforcement. Posters with hotline numbers must be put up on the grounds of every school, Dr. Virmani said.

According to the guideline, all employees must go through background checks and police verification, and campuses should have CCTV cameras.

Two kids, ages three and six, were reportedly sexually molested on the premises of two English-medium frontline schools in September and October of this year. Additionally, it was discovered that the administration and instructor in both instances had aided the accused by first withholding facts.