Tawde presses for safety of girl students in schools, colleges

Safety and security in school and college premises is of paramount importance to the state government and a committee shall be formed to ensure protection to girl students, School Education Minister Vinod Tawde today told the Maharashtra Legislative Council here.
Replying to a debate over a starred question raised by Subhash Zambad (Congress) on installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in schools and junior colleges in rural Maharashtra, he said, "the installation of CCTV cameras in schools and junior college premises is not the only solution, it is equally important to impart teenagers health education."
"For this a committee comprising psychologists, women members of the State Legislature and principals of schools and junior colleges shall be set up," he said.

He further said that a committee was earlier set up under Justice Dharmadhikari to prevent atrocities on women.
"The committee had recommended installation of CCTV cameras in schools and junior college premises," he said.
Taking note of these points, it is imperative to impart teenagers health education in schools and junior colleges so as to prevent unfortunate incidents, Tawde said.

"The CCTV camera feeds are useful as evidence. However, in order to prevent such incidents a committee will be set up by the department," he added.
Tawde said that of late incidents of atrocities against girl students in Ahmednagar and other parts of the state are increasing. "The committee will dwell upon how girl students can be kept safe inside school and junior college premises," he said.

He said there are 67,484 schools run by civic bodies in Maharashtra.
Tawde further disclosed that Rs 186 crore will be needed to install CCTV cameras in schools and junior colleges in these schools.