WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: To ensure the safety and well-being of students during school picnics and excursions, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir has issued guidelines to schools across the valley.
According to the circular, Picnics and Excursions on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays should be avoided, keeping in mind the overcrowding at picnic spots and tourist destinations to avert any untoward incidents.
The concerned HoIs 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.
The concerned Directorate of Tourism shall be contacted two (02) weeks prior to picnics and excursions so that necessary assistance shall be provided.
Before embarking on the trip, HoIs/School Management should have a comprehensive school trip safety checklist such as: Teachers shall ensure that they have emergency contact information of every student. This should be easily accessible throughout the trip.
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 should be contacted.
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. Before the trip, the itinerary, behavioral expectations, and safety precautions should be explained to the students.
Teachers must keep the picnic on track from boarding to returning back. The HoIs/School Management, should restrict the students from visiting any vulnerable areas/sports 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 avoid unsafe activities.
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.
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.
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.
Prior to the picnics/excursions, the weather advisories issued by Meteorology Department must be followed. The HoIs/School Management should avoid picnics/excursions on harsh weather days.
The school management should keep contact details of parents for quicker communication in case of an emergency.
