Delhi L-G TS Sandhu calls for future-ready approach to school safety
New Delhi, July 23
Delhi Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu on Thursday underlined the need for a comprehensive and future-ready approach to school safety and resilience.
Sandhu, who had earlier steered the issue of child safety by getting the month of July declared as "Child Safety Month", addressed the National Summit on Safe Schools Leadership 2026 at PHD House, highlighting that school safety today extends beyond physical infrastructure to cyber security, mental well-being, and disaster preparedness.
The L-G said education is about creating an environment where young minds can learn, grow, and realise their potential, a process that cannot happen without a fundamental sense of security.
Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's words that "education is not merely a means of livelihood, but a powerful medium to make life better", the Lieutenant Governor said this vision can only be realised when every child gets the opportunity to learn in a safe and nurturing environment.
On this occasion, Sandhu also launched the National Model School Safety Toolkit, terming it a key step towards institutionalising a culture of prevention and preparedness across schools.
The L-G called upon school leaders to view safety not merely as a regulatory requirement, but as an integral part of institutional leadership, requiring regular safety audits, emergency preparedness plans, periodic mock drills, trained staff, and close coordination among schools, government agencies, and local communities.
He also spoke of the growing role of technology as an enabler of safer schools through digital monitoring systems, early warning mechanisms, and data-driven risk assessment, while stressing that technology must be complemented by human preparedness and committed leadership.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed hope that the Summit would reaffirm the shared commitment of all stakeholders to ensuring that every school becomes a place where children learn without fear, develop confidence, and prepare for the opportunities and challenges of the future.
— IANS
Reader Comments
A comprehensive safety toolkit sounds promising on paper, but we need action on ground. Many schools in rural areas don't even have basic infrastructure, forget about cyber security or mock drills. Unless the government provides adequate funds and training to all schools, this remains just a Delhi-centric initiative. We need more than a summit; we need implementation.
Interesting to see India taking school safety to the next level. As someone who works in international education, I can say that India is beginning to align with global best practices. The balance between technology and human preparedness mentioned by the L-G is crucial. Would love to see how this model toolkit compares with frameworks in other countries.
Mock drills and safety audits are long overdue in Indian schools. I still remember my school days when we had no fire drills or earthquake preparedness. Kids today face new challenges like online bullying and data privacy issues. This future-ready approach is what we need. Let's hope all states adopt this toolkit. 👍
While this is a positive step, I can't help but wonder—will private schools implement this sincerely? Many treat safety as a box-ticking exercise. And what about anganwadis and government schools in remote areas? The toolkit should be available in regional languages and adapted for local contexts. Otherwise, it's just another Delhi meeting.
As an expat living in Delhi, I appreciate this holistic view of safety. My children study here and while I feel the physical security is good, the focus on mental well-being is a welcome addition. However, practical training for teachers on handling mental health issues is as important as the digital monitoring systems mentioned. Well said,
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.