Delhi Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu on Thursday, 23 July 2026, called for a comprehensive and future-ready approach to school safety and resilience at the National Summit on Safe Schools Leadership 2026, held at PHD House, New Delhi. Sandhu stressed that school safety today extends well beyond physical infrastructure to encompass cyber security, mental well-being, and disaster preparedness.

National Model School Safety Toolkit Launched

A highlight of the summit was the L-G's launch of the National Model School Safety Toolkit, which he described as a critical step towards institutionalising a culture of prevention and preparedness across schools nationwide. The toolkit is intended to provide school administrators with a structured framework for identifying risks and implementing safety protocols.

This initiative builds on Sandhu's earlier push on child safety — he had previously steered the declaration of July as 'Child Safety Month' — making the summit a natural extension of that agenda.

What the L-G Said on School Leadership

Sandhu called upon school leaders to treat safety not as a mere regulatory checkbox, but as a core pillar of institutional leadership. He outlined a multi-pronged approach requiring regular safety audits, emergency preparedness plans, periodic mock drills, trained staff, and close coordination among schools, government agencies, and local communities.

Invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's words — that 'education is not merely a means of livelihood, but a powerful medium to make life better' — Sandhu argued that this vision is only realisable when every child learns in a safe and nurturing environment.

Technology as an Enabler of Safer Schools

The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the growing role of technology in school safety, pointing to digital monitoring systems, early warning mechanisms, and data-driven risk assessment as tools that can significantly reduce vulnerability. He cautioned, however, that technology must be complemented by human preparedness and committed leadership — not treated as a standalone solution.

Broader Significance and What Comes Next

The summit brought together school leaders and stakeholders to collectively reaffirm commitments to child safety. Sandhu expressed hope that the deliberations would translate into actionable change, ensuring that every school becomes a place where children learn without fear and develop the confidence to face future challenges.

With the National Model School Safety Toolkit now in place, the focus shifts to adoption and implementation at the institutional level across Delhi and, potentially, other states watching this model.