Safety Committees in Schools Under Scrutiny in Thane.

After a shocking incident in Shahapur where a few English medium school students had to clean toilets as punishment for not paying monthly fees, the education department has taken serious note. The Thane district education office is now inspecting 1,696 schools to ensure proper safety measures are in place. The inspection will cover whether schools have functional CCTV cameras, staff background checks, proper student safety, and other key measures. Many schools reportedly lack basic safety protocols, and surprise visits will be conducted. After incidents in places like Badlapur and Ambernath, the education department is prioritizing the inspection of every school’s safety committee. Schools with a higher number of students will be inspected first. Currently, over 8.75 lakh students study in 1,696 schools across the district, including private, government-aided, tribal welfare, minority, unaided, and special category schools. The department emphasized that student safety is non-negotiable and schools found violating norms will face strict action.