Bhubaneswar: In the aftermath of the tragic death of a student by self-immolation at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, School & Mass Education Department on Thursday issued a directive to all District Education Officers-cum-District Programme Coordinators (DEO-cum-DPCs) to urgently prioritise safety measures for women employees and students across all educational institutions.
Department Secretary Shalini Pandit, in a letter to DEOs, stressed strict adherence to Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The DEOs have been instructed to oversee timely constitution/reconstitution of internal complaints committees (ICCs) in all eligible establishments under their jurisdiction.
The letter also underlined the need for creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment in schools, especially for girl students, focusing on their physical, mental, and socio-emotional well-being. The department has mandated rolling out BARNALI (Gender Equity Programme) curriculum in all elementary and secondary schools, integrating it with the Social Studies syllabus to promote gender-sensitive attitudes and eliminate gender-based violence.
In addition, DEOs have been instructed to ensure that four helpline numbers are prominently displayed in all schools, workplaces, and residential hostels.
1. Women Helpline – 181
2. Child Helpline – 1098
3. Police Helpline (ERSS) – 112
4. School Student Helpline – 18003456722
A government-approved design for these displays has been circulated and must be implemented without delay, it added.