United Nation head calls India to endorse 'Safe Schools Declaration'

The Indian Law protects the schools in India from their usage for military purposes. It forbids military engagement and encampment in educational institutes as a measure of caution and protection. It prohibits even the requisitioning of the school or any parts of it. India’s National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has said the use of schools by security forces “violates the spirit and letter” of Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and therefore “schools should never be used as temporary shelters by security forces.” Therefore judicial orders have been served to vacate such occupation of schools by security forces.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres summoned India to play its part in the intergovernmental political commitment that guarantees that schools, staff, teachers, and students are not targeted for attacks and armed conflicts. The Human Rights Watch drew a nexus between the armed attacks and a decrease in children's education and notably the dropouts. It especially noticed the number of girls that had to drop out of school or not attend regularly had shot up. The UN Head has called for India to validate the Safe Schools Declaration that shall protect the schools from military purposes and implement safety measures for children all across India.

The UN attempts to better the situation to protect the schools in India. The 2014 UN Committee for women's and girls' rights noted the sexual harassment and violence that had been caused against the females and advised the authorities to draw measures for future prevention. It called on the Indian authorities to act upon the situation and take measures to prohibit the occupation of schools by the security forces, in compliance with the international humanitarian and human rights laws standards. In 2021, it has been urged twice by the UN Children's Rights Committee, to prevent and prohibit the occupation of schools by security forces.

As 109 countries have already joined hands in protecting the schools under the Safe Schools Declaration, the assent by the Indian Government is awaited.