The Delhi Directorate of Education has directed all government, government-aided and recognised private unaided schools to take steps to prevent tobacco use and substance abuse on their campuses. Schools have been asked to form anti-tobacco committees, organise regular awareness programmes for students and follow a standard operating procedure (SOP) to create drug-free campuses.
As reported by the PTI, every school will have to form or strengthen an Institution Level Task Force (ITF) or Anti-Tobacco Committee under the leadership of the principal or head of the school.
These committees will conduct random inspections, review compliance reports, monitor school activities and ensure that information is regularly updated on the Nasha Mukt Vidyalaya portal. The committee will include a nodal teacher or Prahari Club in-charge, a Health and Wellness Ambassador, a School Management Committee member, a student representative and a local police representative. It will be responsible for planning and monitoring activities to prevent tobacco use and substance abuse. Schools have also been asked to strengthen their Prahari Clubs, which will function as school-level Nasha Mukt Delhi Clubs and organise regular awareness and prevention activities. Schools will have to maintain records of committee meetings, Prahari Club activities, awareness programmes, life skills sessions, student referrals and participation. They must also submit an implementation checklist to the concerned district authorities every month. At the district level, monitoring committees headed by the Deputy Director of Education (District) will oversee the implementation of the SOP.
The circular has also directed schools to follow the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, along with other applicable government guidelines.
