Following a harrowing incident in Harni, Vadodara—where several students drowned during a school picnic—Gujarat has undertaken a sweeping overhaul of its student safety protocols. The shocking tragedy forced a hard look at the glaring lapses in oversight and prompted a comprehensive review of existing regulations surrounding school outings.
In direct response, and under the weight of mounting public concern, Gujarat’s Director General of Police, Vikas Sahay, has issued a firm directive: “All school tours, picnics, and educational visits across the state will now be accompanied by two uniformed police personnel.” This order is binding across the board, applying to government, aided, and private schools without exception.
Significantly, the directive mandates that “if girl students are present, at least one female police officer must be included.” This condition underscores a heightened sensitivity toward the safety and dignity of female students, ensuring appropriate representation and reassurance during school-led activities.
School principals are now required to proactively liaise with their local police stations in advance to arrange for police deployment. The DGP has formally conveyed this directive to the principal secretary of the education department (primary and secondary), pushing for rapid and uncompromising implementation by all educational institutions.
This isn’t merely a matter of security; it is a vision for civil synergy. The directive is “aimed at ensuring coordination between schools and the police during educational activities involving students.” Moreover, officials emphasize that beyond immediate protection, the move seeks to “strengthen the relationship between students and the police.” With regular interaction, the state hopes to nurture mutual trust, respect, and a culture of civic cooperation among the next generation.
Importantly, this directive stems from the 2024 DGP-IGP conference—chaired by none other than the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister. Their high-level instruction has cascaded down into this decisive step, transforming a moment of national sorrow into a policy of enduring vigilance.
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