In a significant move to enhance safety on campuses, the Directorate of Education (DoE) in Delhi has directed educational institutions, government offices, and stadiums across the city to appoint dedicated nodal officers. The primary responsibility of these officers will be to handle issues concerning stray dogs and prevent their entry into the premises. This directive comes as a follow-up to the Supreme Court's order dated November 7 on the matter.
Clarification on Teachers' Roles
Following the issuance of the circular, speculation emerged in sections of the media suggesting that school teachers might be tasked with duties like counting stray dogs. The DoE has now issued a clear press note to counter this "misinformation." Officials have clarified that no specific role or duty has been assigned to teachers as part of this initiative. The nodal officers are to be nominated from within the institutions, and their details must be shared with the Caretaking Branch at the DoE headquarters. Officials confirmed that the process of identifying these officers is already underway.
Key Responsibilities and Safety Mandates
The appointed nodal officers will have a defined set of responsibilities aimed at ensuring campus safety. Their core duties include conducting regular inspections of the premises to ensure that no stray dog habitat or congregation point exists within the boundaries. If any such instances are detected, the officers are mandated to immediately inform the local civic bodies for prompt remedial action.
Furthermore, the government circular emphasizes proactive safety education. It mandates the organization of awareness programmes for students, teaching staff, and non-teaching staff. These programmes will cover crucial topics such as understanding animal behaviour, administering first aid for dog bites, and following proper reporting protocols for any incidents.
In addition to the nodal officer system, the DoE has instructed all school heads, office in-charges, and stadium managers to ensure that security guards and gatekeepers are vigilant in preventing the entry of stray animals onto the premises.
Background and Triggering Incidents
This heightened focus on managing stray dog presence in public institutions stems from recent alarming incidents. In October, two international coaches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi were bitten by stray dogs. The victims were Kenyan sprint coach Dennis Mwanzo and Japanese assistant coach Mieko Okumatsu, who were in the city for the 12th World Para Athletics Championships. The incident occurred at the stadium's warm-up track and sparked considerable criticism.
Subsequently, high-level meetings were convened to address the issue. Meetings chaired by the Secretary of the Urban Development Department on November 12 and by the Chief Secretary on November 20 led to the directive for the DoE to implement preventive measures. The focus was specifically on preventing stray dog ingress into educational institutions and sports complexes. Following these meetings, the DoE issued circulars in November and December, with the latest one dated December 10, outlining the required safety measures for schools, offices, and stadiums.
This comprehensive plan represents the Delhi government's concerted effort to strengthen safety protocols and create a secure environment for students, staff, and visitors in public institutions, while also complying with judicial directives on the matter.
