Child Safety At Lancers International School, One Of The Top Schools In Gurgaon

Schools in Gurgaon

At Lancers International School, one of the top schools in Gurgaon, child safety is a priority. The school has a designated Safety Officer whose specific responsibility is to ensure that there is a minimum risk to child safety on account of physical hazards. It is the responsibility of the Safety Officer to ensure the following are given due attention to:

1. Electricity-related risks: improper/exposed wiring and open electricity panels resulting in live wires, improper location of panels in areas children frequently pass through, proper installation of MCBs to prevent short-circuits; strict procedures to ensure that electricity, heating, air-conditioning are monitored and not left on overnight increasing risks of over-heating/fires.

Areas with improper lighting are immediately addressed as such low- light areas become points where incidents of abuse or bullying are more likely to happen; accordingly a weekly check of non-functioning lights must be ensured with immediate replacement.

2. Storage of hazardous materials such as acids, kerosene oil, spirits or other inflammable materials in laboratories, kitchens are stored safely in an area away from children and are stored under lock at all times.

3. Ensuring periodic maintenance of gas burners in canteens/chemistry labs, checking of piping and leaking valves, the strict procedure to ensure main valves, stoves, etc. are shut after use to prevent gas leakage.

4. Water-related risks: safe drinking water on premises including periodic cleaning of tanks, preventing leakage resulting in the slippery floor; open sumps, water pits that may pose the risk of drowning, swimming pools to ensure adequate safeguards with lifeguard and railings to prevent the risk of drowning by unauthorized access of small children.

5. Fire-related risks: Besides specific checks of vulnerable areas, all fire extinguishing equipment is regularly maintained and a certificate from the fire department on the school’s fire-worthiness must be obtained every 6 months in accordance with the rules and be available for inspection.

6. Other physical obstructions: low hanging power lines, improper placing furniture, obstructions in escape routes, sharp/heavy objects at a height (such as flowerpots on parapet), etc. are monitored and rectified periodically.

7. Disabled-friendly access: to minimize safety risks to those children with special needs who may be in wheelchairs, it is ensured that they are adequate ramps, railings at appropriate points.

8. Other structural risks: cracks in the building, loose false ceilings are monitored periodically and rectified urgently in case of problems.

9. Playground: Care must be taken that there are no physical hazards for children such as sharp edges, rusty rods, broken/faulty play equipment such as swings/slides, no thorny bushes, particularly at lower heights which adults may not notice but could cause injury to children.

10. Force calamities such as earthquake, flood, riots: the Safety Officer ensures that there are a basic process and system in place for evacuation and dealing with such calamities, conducting periodic drills so that ill-effects can be mitigated in the event of such a calamity, and connect with community partners such as Fire-Department, area hospitals, etc. so that there is a ready rapport at time of emergency.

11. A safety plan is prepared by Lancers, one of the best schools in Gurgaon and submitted to the local police station, containing the following:

a. A specific checklist of safety-related aspects that need is being regularly attended to (in keeping with the list under Safety Officer)

b. Specific procedures that are being followed by the school to prevent and handle emergencies such as a) fire b) earthquake c) bomb threat d) school bus accident e) hostage/kidnapping f) chemical accident g) children carrying weapons to school h) civil disturbance i) medical emergency

Emergency Drill At Lancers — One Of The Top Schools In Gurgaon

Details of when the last drill for evacuation in case of fire, earthquake, etc.was held. This must be held in coordination with the local police station at least once in six months.

Confirming that easy access to escape routes for any students in wheelchairs, with convenient ramps at essential points has been ensured.

Safeguards Related To Staff At Lancers — One Of The Top Schools In Gurgaon

All school employees Lancers, one of the top schools in Gurgaon, undergo a 360-degree verification as specified below:

a) Process: The employee’s complete employment record is checked with specific reference checks against each employment on the resume. Any past history of social violations is checked through police verifications at all addresses given in his/her resume.

b) Purpose: Staff verification is an important consideration and appointment can be withheld if there is any indication that a person did not demonstrate a high moral character.

Accordingly, it is specifically required to check with all past employers the reason for the employee’s departure, to ensure there is no difference between stated reason and actual reason, which would be an immediate warning flag.

c) Coverage: The term ‘employee’ refers to full-time staff on the rolls of the school, as well as part-time and contractual staff such as contractors and their workers, specifically construction staff, sanitation staff, security guards, cooks, canteen staff, gardeners, etc.

It includes the staff that is provided by external provides for house-keeping, electrician, plumbers, etc. It specifically includes bus drivers and conductors, whether the transport staff is outsourced to a third party or is on the rolls of the school; in this respect, it is ensured that all bus drivers have a valid driving license, minimum stipulated years of experience and no cases pending against them, as per the Supreme Court guidelines in this regard.

d) Procedure: References, as specified above, are duly checked and a copy retained in school records.

1. In case there is no such verification record of current employees who have been with the school less than 6 months, this verification procedure must be completed retrospectively.

2. This procedure is strictly followed with all new recruits to the school.

3. All support staff of the school is interviewed by the Human Resource Manager and recruited only after a due background check, especially those who have access to toilets, medical rooms, such as cleaners, helpers (Didis), nurses, etc.

4. All transport staff, even if provided by contractors has been verified. The school maintains a copy of police verification for such staff, with details of contacts of their hometown, as well as 2 referees from hometown and 2 referees from Gurgaon. Likewise, police verification is being obtained for other outsourced activities like a canteen, etc. Format to be used is Police Verification Form from the Gurgaon Police website.