📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Harvinder Chandigarh
Education
Punjab & Haryana High Court Orders Prompt Action Against Gender-Based Bullying in Schools
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 02 Nov 2026, 02:36 PM
👁 17
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed authorities to take immediate measures to curb gender‑based bullying in schools across the two states.
The bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued an order today urging state education officials to act swiftly against gender‑based bullying in schools. The court noted a rise in reports of harassment targeting students based on their gender and emphasized that such behavior undermines a safe learning environment.
In its directive, the court asked the education departments of Punjab and Haryana to formulate and implement clear anti‑bullying policies within a month. The guidelines are expected to include awareness programmes for teachers, a grievance redressal mechanism for victims, and regular monitoring of school conduct.
The education ministries of both states have acknowledged the order and said they will circulate the required policy framework to all schools by the stipulated deadline. Officials also indicated that training sessions for teachers and counselors will be organized to ensure effective enforcement.
Legal experts view the ruling as a significant step toward institutionalising protection against gender‑based harassment in Indian schools, aligning with broader national efforts to promote gender equality in education.
In its directive, the court asked the education departments of Punjab and Haryana to formulate and implement clear anti‑bullying policies within a month. The guidelines are expected to include awareness programmes for teachers, a grievance redressal mechanism for victims, and regular monitoring of school conduct.
The education ministries of both states have acknowledged the order and said they will circulate the required policy framework to all schools by the stipulated deadline. Officials also indicated that training sessions for teachers and counselors will be organized to ensure effective enforcement.
Legal experts view the ruling as a significant step toward institutionalising protection against gender‑based harassment in Indian schools, aligning with broader national efforts to promote gender equality in education.