The Central Board Of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all affiliated schools on prevention of dog bite incidents
and management of stray dogs on school campuses. The national education board has issued a list of measures that will be compulsory for all CBSE schools to follow in order to ensure safety of everyone on the campus, including students, teachers, and non teaching staff. The SOP has been issued in the interest of child safety and public health, all schools are hereby advised to strictly implement the following measures. "In view of recent directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court emphasising the safety, security and well-being of children, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Prevention of Dog-bite Incidents and Management of Stray Dogs in Institutional Premises," CBSE stated in an official notice. The measures/ SOP issued by CBSE is as follows:
- Conduct awareness sessions for students and staff (both teaching and non-teaching) on preventive behaviour around animals, first-aid in case of bites, and immediate reporting protocols etc.
- Identify vulnerable areas and ensure immediate removal of stray dogs found within school premises, which must be removed forthwith in coordination with the Municipal Authority, local elected bodies and District Administration.
- Ensure that the school premises are secured by adequate fencing, boundary walls, gates etc.
- Designate a Nodal Officer responsible for the upkeep and cleanliness of the premises and for ensuring that stray dogs don't enter or inhabit the school premises. Furthermore, the details of the said Officer shall be displayed prominently at the entrance.
- Facilitate regular inspections (at least once every three months) by competent authorities appointed by the State/UT Governments to ensure that no stray dog habitat exists within or in the immediate vicinity of the school premises. Any lapse may be viewed seriously and responsibility fixed accordingly.
- Strictly implement effective waste disposal and drainage systems, including secure storage and daily removal of waste, in accordance with the guidelines of Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN). (copy of guidelines enclosed in the link below)
- Follow the Guidelines on School Safety and Security to ensure a holistic approach to school safety covering physical, emotional and overall well-being. (copy of guidelines enclosed in the link below)
- Undertake activities recommended by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) for rabies elimination, as available at https://rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.in
Schools have been ordered to conduct awareness sessions for students and staff on preventive behavior around animals, first-aid in case of bites, and immediate reporting protocols
