TN school education dept rolls out guidelines to safeguard girls in sports

In a significant move to strengthen safety measures for girl students in sports, the Tamil Nadu School Education Department has introduced a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) following a directive from the Madras High Court.

The court's order came in the wake of a 2018 case where a physical education teacher was convicted of sexually harassing a 17-year-old Kabaddi player during a tournament.

Spanning 20 pages, the SOP outlines detailed responsibilities for schools, coaches, parents, and students to ensure a secure and supportive environment for girls participating in sports activities, both within school premises and while traveling for competitions.

One of the key mandates is the annual police verification and psychological screening of all physical education teachers, coaches, support staff, and chaperones.

The department has also made it compulsory for schools to organize training sessions for coaches covering gender sensitization, ethical coaching practices, and child protection.

Practice sessions scheduled outside regular school hours or on public holidays must be conducted in the presence of a female teacher or a member of the School Management Committee (SMC).

Coaches and teachers are strictly prohibited from engaging in one-on-one discussions with students in closed or secluded areas.

To enhance safety during travel, the SOP requires that every team comprising girl students be accompanied by at least one female teacher.

It also bars participants from engaging in sightseeing before or after sports events.

A designated WhatsApp number must be clearly displayed at venues to enable prompt reporting of grievances or incidents.

The SOP emphasizes the importance of a strong feedback and grievance redressal system in each school and urges institutions to create a culture where students feel empowered to speak up.

"Students must be encouraged to report any discomfort or harassment without hesitation," the document states.