Bengaluru: Playschool shuts down over security concerns

BENGALURU: Following uproar in the social media over security concerns, Indiranagar based playschool Monkey Maze has shut down. A woman had alleged that the school had violated her trust by allowing a watchman to take her daughter to toilet, thereby exposing security lapses.

Though no formal police complaint was lodged, the Jeevan Bhima Nagar police took note of the incident and met the school proprietor, following which the school was shut. However, the alleged incident has exposed the safety and security of children in play schools, baby sitting facilities and summer camps, which have mushroomed in the city. The safety guidelines, which were issued by the city police commissioner in 2014 for schools, does not cover pre-schools, baby sitting facilities and summer camps.

Jeevan Bhima Nagar police station inspector told Deccan Chronicle, “Soon after the incident came to light, the school authorities accepted their mistake and shut the school therefore no inquiry conducted into this regard.” He further said that the order issued by the police commissioner regarding the safety and security of school children doesn’t apply for play schools, baby sitting facilities and summer camps.

“I will be writing to the senior police officials seeking to include baby sitting facilities and summer camps in the guidelines. Also, a recommendation letter will also be sent to the Education department in this regard. The police will be regularly paying surprise visits to the play schools and summer camps to check the safety measures taken by the authorities.”

Meanwhile, satisfied with the action, Nitya Shivraman, who had exposed the security lapse in Monkey Maze play school said, “I have met the police at Jeevan Bhima Nagar police station. Inspector Hithendra was very attentive and immediately pointed out that he considered this issue very serious. He questioned the proprietor of Monkey Maze and ordered closure of play school. We are satisfied with the outcome.”