ABSTRACT
This chapter emphasizes the point that safety of children is the single most important aspect of a school system. A safe school is one where children are not only physically safe but psychologically safe, too. The important distinction between being safe and feeling safe is brought forth within the discourse. The overt problems with school safety such as bullying, corporal punishment and sexual abuse are dealt with in detail, enumerating steps that can be taken to prevent such incidents. Data on bullying, corporal punishment and abuse from a number of surveys conducted by leading bodies like UNICEF, OECD and the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare, Government of India, are presented. The discussion also stresses emotional and psychological safety and includes works by psychologists and researchers to illustrate the concept of emotional and psychological safety and their importance. The various aspects of safe schools are illustrated though real-life cases.
