Following national outrage over the assault and murder of the seven-year old Delhi school-boy, an online poll discovered that 88% parents feel that school management and promoters should be held accountable for criminal negligence in case of lapses regarding safety and security of students on the school premises.

Onliunity platform Local Circles conducted a set of polls on these issues and of the 8,208 citizens who responded, 88% said yes, while 7% said no and 5% chose not to share their opinion. 

Various discussions during the survey have pointed out that in many schools, support staff like cleaners, drivers, conductors and peons do not have separate toilets. It has also been found that the accused in most such incidents is a contract staffer. 

When asked if separate toilets should be mandatory for children and staff, 89% responded positively while 9% responded negatively and 2% were unsure. A total of 8,256 votes were received on this poll. In various discussions on LocalCircles, suggestions included strong CCTV surveillance, emergency buzzers in toilets and attendants outside washrooms wherever possible. 

Parents also strongly felt that the district administration via the district education officer, who is the link between school and local authorities, should also have a detailed checklist when they visit school to ensure its compliance.

Key compliances should also include no liquor or gutkha shop within at least 100 yards radius and no weapons be allowed on the school premises, said parents.

People also suggested that no staff member, permanent or temporary, should be hired without a proper background check and police verification, and hinted at a faster process by police and local administration. Some also suggested that parent bodies of schools must rasie red flags with the local authorities if schools fail to comply within a defined timeframe.