Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department has directed schools to avoid picnics and excursions scheduled on weekends or public holidays to avoid overcrowding and potential risks at popular tourist spots.
In a circular issued by the Government of J&K, school education department a copy of which assesed by news agency JKNS reads, Picnics and Excursions being the vital component of the students curriculum needs to be conducted keeping in view the required Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and advisories.
In order to ensure students safety and well-being during such visits, the following Guidelines are Impressed upon all the HoDs and Hols of the School Education Department, Days of visits, picnics and Excursions on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays be avoided keeping In view the overcrowding at picnic spots/Tourists destination to avert any untoward incident.
Event Management, the concerned Hols shall designate a senior official as Event Manager to oversee the departure, travel, movement of students at picnic spots/Tourist destinations & their safe arrival. He shall also be responsible to keep liaze with the other departments as and when required, it reads.
Circular reads, the concerned Directorate of Tourism shall be contacted two (02) weeks prior to picnics and excursions so that necessary assistance shall be provided. School Trip Safety Checklist, before embarking on the trip, Hols/School Management should have a comprehensive school trip safety checklist such as, Emergency Contact Information, teachers shall ensure that they have emergency contact Information of every student. This should be easily accessible throughout the trip.
First Aid Kit, the School Management shall arrange First Aid Kits during the travel and at the picnic spots. In the event of any health Issues the local/nearest Health centre be contacted, it reads.
Health check-up, prior to the departure from the school the health of the students should be monitored to avoid any health related issues during the visits. Headcount of the students should be done before departure and while transitioning from one location to another, it reads.
Pre-Trip Briefing, before the trip, the itinerary, behavioral expectations, and safety precautions should be explained to the students. Duty, teachers must keep the picnic on track from boarding to returning back. The Hols/School Management, should restrict the students from visiting any vulnerable areas/spots especially to rivers, lakes, ponds and streams to avert any misshapes at the picnic spots. Escort teachers should ensure that students move to only safer spaces and avold unsafe activities, circular reads.
Transport management, for vehicle booking, the concerned ARTO should be contacted to provide the authorized transport facilities with good conditioned vehicles and escort driver having valid driving license for conveyance of the students, it reads.
Grant of permission, for picnics and excursions within the district, the concerned Chief Education Officer shall be the Competent Authority for granting permissions who shall also maintain the schedules of the picnics/excursions fortnightly with an intimation to the respective directorate, it reads.
For visiting the picnic spots outside the district, the concerned Director School Education shall be the Competent Authority for granting permissions. The Directorate(s) of School Education shall also maintain the schedules of the picnics/excursions fortnightly, it reads.
Weather advisories, prior to the picnics/excursions, the weather advisories issued by Meteorology Department must be followed. The Hols/School Management should avoid picnics/excursions on harsh weather days, circular reads.
Emergency Contact, the school management should keep contact details of parents for quicker communication in case of an emergency, circular reads.
Earlier on May 28, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that Education Minister has been directed to encourage schools and colleges to organize excursions and picnics at major destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam both to signal calm and to re-establish public trust.
Earlier On April 15, the Jammu and Kashmir government imposed a complete ban on picnics by schools and colleges on weekends and holidays in the Union Territory after two students were killed and 21 injured after their college bus turned turtle in Kupwara.
Education Minister Sakeena Itoo also ordered installation of CCTV cameras and fire safety tools in college and school buses, besides other measures, to enhance student safety. (JKNS)
