Tamil Nadu issues strict guidelines for school tours

According to the guidelines, every school should obtain permission from the department concern to carry out the tour. Also, authorities should make a detailed plan one month in advance. “The tour period should not extend beyond four days. The journey should be taken after taking into account the weather report,” the circular stated. The move came against the backdrop of the death of three students from a city school who drowned in a Pune dam recently. 

The guidelines state that awareness should be created among the students about the safety aspects during the tour. Safety equipment should also be taken along with the students. Similarly, schools should ensure that one teacher accompanies every ten students.  Stating that the tour organisers should avoid crowded places, the notification added that students should not be taken to any water body. 

“If the students need to travel by bus, travelling from 10 pm to 4 am should be prohibited,” the circular said, adding that there should be periodical roll call during the journey. 

The teachers, who accompany the students, should get stay touch with school management and provide them their whereabouts on a regular basis. The circular also stated: “The school authorities should not force the students to attend the tour.”