Safety Advisory issued for Belthangady schools after leopard sightings
Mangaluru: Schools in Belthangady taluk have been ordered to implement tight safety precautions following reports of leopard movement in the area. Authorities have urged for heightened vigilance to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Belthangady Block Education Officer Tarakesari issued a circular to all schools, according to the Times of India, after teachers and parents voiced concern over the taluk's regular leopard sightings.
The advisory puts collective responsibility for student safety on teachers and school managements and outlines protocols for commuting, supervision and campus movement.
Schools have also been instructed to ensure that children travel to and from school with their parents as far as possible and to formally communicate safety measures to families. Parents have been advised to send children from home in a manner that allows them to reach school by 9.30 am, while students must be released at 4.20 pm under parental responsibility. Head teachers and designated staff members are required to stay on campus until all children have left safely.
The circular directs schools to prevent students from leaving the campus during school hours and to maintain continuous supervision. Children are to use washrooms and play areas only under teacher supervision, with an emphasis on moving in groups. Evening special classes have been prohibited, and any online classes must be scheduled only after students have returned home.
Schools in locations with frequent leopard movement have been given the authority to excuse students from attending courses, with parents being advised to ensure their children's safety at home. Schools located near forested zones have been told to conduct classes with doors closed and ensure students are accompanied by teachers whenever they step outside classrooms.
Teachers have also been advised to exercise caution, use vehicles where possible, avoid isolated routes and leave the campus only after confirming that all students have departed safely. The education office further noted that school staff bear responsibility for student safety from the time children arrive at school until they return home, along with ensuring their own safety.
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French President Macron concludes Mumbai visit
Mumbai (PTI): French President Emmanuel Macron, along with First Lady Brigitte Macron, left Mumbai for New Delhi on Wednesday after concluding his engagements here, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They were seen off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
On Tuesday, Macron held discussions with Modi as part of efforts to further strengthen India-France strategic ties.
During the Mumbai visit, the French president and his wife also met some of India's top filmmakers and actors, and had an animated exchange with them about cinema, culture and collaboration.
President Macron is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in the national capital Delhi, besides the bilateral summit in Mumbai.
PM Modi will inaugurate the summit on February 19. As many as 20 heads of states, including French President Macron, will be present at the inaugural session, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said.
