Ahmedabad: To provide students with a safe, fear-free, healthy and sensitive learning environment, the Ahmedabad City district education office has initiated the implementation of the ‘Saarthi Suraksha Sankalp – Safe School, Safe Childhood’ project. As part of the initiative, schools have been instructed to install ‘samvedana peti’ (suggestion and complaint boxes) so students can share their concerns without fear or hesitation.The primary objective of the project is to ensure every child has an opportunity to express problems freely, receive timely guidance, and access appropriate support. Students today may face several challenges, including food safety concerns, road safety risks, cyberthreats, bullying, harassment, discrimination, mental stress and safety issues within school premises. The initiative aims to identify these concerns early and ensure timely intervention.Under the project, all govt, grant-in-aid, and non-granted schools, as well as schools affiliated with different boards across Ahmedabad city, have been directed to establish a ‘Samvedana Peti – Saarthi Helpline’. Students will be able to submit complaints, suggestions and requests for assistance in writing. Providing their names will not be compulsory wherever possible, allowing them to communicate without fear.Schools will be required to maintain confidentiality, properly register submissions and ensure timely resolution. Serious child safety complaints, physical violence, sexual harassment and cases involving risks of self-harm will require immediate action in accordance with applicable laws.Each school must also establish a five-member ‘Saarthi Safety Club’, comprising the principal as chairperson, one male teacher, one female teacher, one male student representative and one female student representative.Schools must organise monthly awareness activities, including essay writing, drawing, speeches, skits and mock drills. According to the circular, more than 300 schools have already begun implementing ‘Saarthi Suraksha Sankalp’.
