Pune: The knife attack on Oct 23 in Balewadi on a schoolgirl by a classmate, both aged 14, has prompted a flurry of fresh questions about how schools identify behavioural warning signs, respond to student conflicts and ensure that children feel safe reporting concerns. Beyond tightening security, schools need to strengthen counselling, teacher-parent communication and systems to track complaints before they escalate into serious incidents, experts said.The school where the incident occurred said it had provided immediate first aid to the injured girl, arranged further medical care and counselling support, informed the authorities and was cooperating with the investigation. It also said it had taken disciplinary action against the boy.The incident has put the spotlight on whether schools have effective mechanisms to follow up on behavioural concerns, particularly when disagreements involve peer relationships, social media or humiliation among classmates.Many are assessing their existing systems now. Ashwini Giri, principal of another city-based school, commented, “We are reviewing our entry and exit protocols, bag-checking procedures and supervision during breaks and dispersal. Security cannot be limited to the school gate. Staff must remain alert across the campus, particularly in areas where students gather without direct classroom supervision.”Santosh Dhane, trustee of another city school, said, “Every school needs a clear emergency response plan. Teachers and support staff should know how to secure an area, arrange medical assistance, inform parents and contact the authorities without losing time. We will review whether our existing procedures need to be strengthened.”Similarly, a secondary-school principal, Rakesh Oza, said, “Repeated complaints about aggression, bullying or threatening behaviour should be documented and followed up. A verbal warning may not be enough if the behaviour continues. Parents must be involved and the school counsellor should assess whether further intervention is needed.”The Union education ministry’s 2021 school safety guidelines emphasise accountability, preventive measures and reporting mechanisms. For schools, the challenge is to translate these principles into everyday practice through documented follow-up, trained staff, accessible counselling and clear emergency procedures.Sulakshana Chavan, a freelance school counsellor, said, “Children often hesitate to report problems because they fear being mocked or labelled as troublemakers. We need confidential reporting channels and regular interactions where students can speak freely about peer pressure, online harassment and conflicts without fear of retaliation.”Educators said schools also need clear protocols for responding to violence: securing the area, arranging immediate medical assistance, informing parents and authorities, preserving relevant evidence and communicating verified information without identifying or stigmatising minors.The recent dispute allegedly stemmed from the boy posting videos on social media of some girl students during a school picnic, leading to arguments. Manish Jadhav, a digital-safety coordinator at a CBSE school in the city, said, “Disputes that begin online can spill into school. Students need to understand consent before photographing or sharing videos of classmates, the consequences of online harassment and the importance of reporting inappropriate content instead of confronting one another.”
