774 Schools Flagged for Safety Gaps in Delhi-Wide Child Protection Inspections

As many as 774 schools in Delhi have been found with safety-related deficiencies during a city-wide inspection drive launched under the Child Protection Month initiative, officials said on Sunday.

According to a statement from Lok Nivas, 1,677 schools were inspected between July 13 and 24 using a Student Safety Checklist prepared in line with guidelines issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Of the schools inspected, 270 government schools, 463 private schools and 41 government-aided schools were found to have safety deficiencies. Private schools accounted for the largest share of cases and were described as having a disproportionately high number of deficiencies compared with the number inspected.

The inspection drive covers government, government-aided, MCD, NDMC, Delhi Cantonment Board and private schools. The schools where shortcomings were identified have been placed under corrective follow-up, with authorities directing them to take remedial measures. Verification will subsequently be conducted to ensure compliance.

The exercise was launched following directions from Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a review meeting on July 6. They had called for strict and time-bound implementation of Child Protection Month initiatives across the capital.

Inspection teams include representatives of parents, the Directorate of Education, the Women and Child Development Department, Delhi Police and school authorities. The teams are assessing institutions against the prescribed checklist and identifying gaps requiring immediate attention.

The inspection drive will continue until all 5,633 schools in Delhi are covered. Authorities said the initiative aims to make child safety a permanent part of school functioning and promote a sustained culture of safety, accountability and preparedness across educational institutions.