Delhi LG calls for comprehensive, future-ready approach to school safety and resilience

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu said on Thursday that education is about creating an environment where young minds can learn, grow, and realise their potential, emphasizing that it is a process that cannot happen without a fundamental sense of security.

Sandhu, who had earlier steered the issue of child safety, getting the month of July being declared “Child Safety Month”, on Thursday addressed the National Summit on Safe Schools Leadership 2026 at PHD House here, underlining the need for a comprehensive and future-ready approach to school safety and resilience.

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Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, “Education is not merely a means of livelihood, but a powerful medium to make life better.” This vision, he said can only be realised when every child has the opportunity to learn in a safe and nurturing environment.

Sandhu noted that the meaning of school safety has evolved significantly over the years, and while physical infrastructure, fire preparedness, and emergency response remain critical, LG said safety presently encompasses cyber security, mental well-being, transportation safety, and the capacity to respond effectively to unforeseen situations.

He said as the country moves towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, educational institutions will play a central role in shaping the citizens who will lead the country in the decades ahead, and therefore schools must be centres not only of academic excellence, but also of responsibility and preparedness.

He added that Delhi, as the national capital, with its dense urban environment and diverse population, carries a special responsibility to lead by example in creating safe, inclusive, and resilient learning environments.

One of key outcomes of the summit was the launch of the National Model School Safety Toolkit by the LG, which he said would help institutions move beyond a reactive approach and adopt a culture of preventive preparedness, with safety embedded in the daily functioning, planning, and governance of every educational institution.

He noted that the launch has a special significance as Delhi observes Child Safety Month this July, with a range of initiatives taking place.

Sandhu called upon school leaders to view safety not merely as a regulatory requirement, but as an integral part of institutional leadership, with regular safety audits, emergency preparedness plans, periodic mock drills, trained staff, and close coordination among schools, government agencies, and local communities.

He also spoke of the growing role of technology as an enabler of safer schools through monitoring systems that are digital, early warning mechanisms, and data-driven risk assessment.

LG stressed that technology is one thing, but it must be complemented by human preparedness and committed leadership.

The LG’s remarks also turned to the legacy of his grandfather, Sardar Teja Singh Samundri, whose 100th martyrdom anniversary is being commemorated this year.

Sandhu recalled that his grandfather had worked tirelessly to advance the ideals of education, equality, youth empowerment, and democratic participation, establishing schools at Sarhali and Lyallpur as early as 1917.