A survey on safe and secure schools in the country was conducted by The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) by collecting data directly from students from around 80,000 public and private schools, which actually constitute only 5 percent of the number of schools in the country totally. This survey has started in Gujarat already.
A full-fledged detailed questionnaire consisting of 72 questions, based on different parameters, including safety against abuse, quality of mid-day meals, social and emotional safety, toilets, school transport, drinking water facilities, infrastructure, fire extinguishers, among others, has been prepared . Every student should fill their questionnaire themselves, with no intervention of any sort from parents or school authorities.
According to Priyank Kanoongo, Member, RTE and Education, NCPCR, this study is undertaken as a sustainable development goal which demands the government to assure inclusive and quality education for every child in the country. Commonly, there are girls who drop out of school citing the lack of toilets or unsafe environment as reason. This survey has been designed such as to address some of these concerns. This exercise is monitored closely by Teachers-in-training at various colleges and universities as a part of their project work to verify if the data collected is authentic. Their contribution will be awarded by NCPCR with a certificate.
According to the Commission for Protection of Child Rights, 2005, via Section 13, NCPCR is conferred with powers to review and is safeguarded under any law for protection of child rights. Under the Right to Education Act, 2009, complaints related to a child's right to free and compulsory education are inquired into by the children's rights body and is required to review safeguards.