Following the arrest of a Mumbai school teacher for sexually assaulting her 16-year-old male student, the Early Childhood Association (ECA) is set to release a document titled Ethical Policy for Educators today. While schools across the city are already revisiting their student safety protocols, the ECA’s ethical policy handbook will be circulated to approximately 48,000 schools nationwide.

The policy aims to outline ‘Threshold Ethical Concepts’ — basic principles that serve as a starting point for appropriate educator conduct. It includes talking points such as dress code, respect and empathy, confidentiality, guidelines around physical contact, a teacher’s social media presence, and teacher-student interactions beyond professional boundaries. “The purpose of this policy is to lay out clear guidelines and mechanisms that help schools prevent such incidents,” said ECA president Dr Swati Popat Vats.

“It’s time we focus on educational ethics and understand the ‘threshold’ concept of educational boundaries. These begin with simple rules that may seem minor but, when ignored, can lead to larger violations and serious crimes. Some threshold ethics that need to be reinstated include: dress code for teachers, rules about social interactions with students, and regulations regarding drug and alcohol use,” she added.