Child-friendly approach with a sensitive attitude can work as a Stress-buster & motivator for children : Harjinder Kaur

Chandigarh : Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) in collaboration with the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA), Chandigarh organized a sensitization program sponsored by the National Commission For Protection Of Child Rights (NCPCR), New Delhi on “Pariksha Parv & The Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012” for officials of the education department, Chandigarh to sensitize about various legal provisions meant to be for safety and wellbeing of children and also to talk about the issues related to examination system on 06.04.2022 at U.T Guest House, Sector 6, Chandigarh. Deputy Directors, Assistant Deputy Directors/ DEO/ Deputy DEOs/ Principals of Sr. Sec. Schools and Headmasters/In-Charges of High Schools/ Middle Schools, and Primary Schools attended this sensitization program. The program was organised in two different sessions.

At the outset Ms. Ravinder Kaur, Dy. Director –cum- Member, CCCR welcomes all the participants. While introducing the theme on the occasion, Ms. Harjinder Kaur, Chairperson, CCPCR highlighted that role of the education department is of paramount importance in the wellbeing of children. Therefore, it becomes more essential than being the service providers, teachers and officers must make effective endeavors for the safety and overall development of their students. They should have a sensitive attitude so that dignity of a child does not get affected. Also being in the education sector, they must present themselves as a role model by performing their job responsibilities efficiently so that students get inspired to replicate these merits in their lives.

Mr. Chanchal Singh, RTE Consultant, CCPCR highlighted that though every child should get an education unfortunately due to a number of reasons, many children remain deprived of getting an education. To curb this problem, the Right to Information Act-2009 was enacted which ensures free and compulsory elementary education for children. He talked about various provisions which are given to children under this act such as 25 seats for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of the society.Sh. Surender Kumar, Member Secretary, SLSA, Chandigarh, and Ms. Tabassum Khan, District Child Protection Officer threw light on the POCSO Act, 2012 (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) in detail and said that teachers, as well as concerned officials of the education department, should ensure the safety and security of students and if any case of sexual abuse happens then immediate reporting of such incident must be done by the school authorities. They talked about the various provisions as mentioned in the concerned act. They encouraged the participants to work as a team to fill the existing gaps in the implementation of these Acts which are meant to be for child protection.

While speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Pooja Punchhi, Member, CCPCR highlighted that students should motivate to take exams without any kind of pressure. For a few years, suicidal cases of students because of a feeling of failure, anxiety, and societal pressure have increased. Teachers can play a vital role to solve this issue by counseling and motivating them and provide them with a positive outlook on life.Ms. Shalini Chetal, HCS, Director Social Welfare, Chandigarh Administration, and Ms. Palika Arora, PCS, Director School Education. Chandigarh Administration appreciated the commendable efforts of the commission to make Chandigarh -A Child-Friendly City. They highlighted that being in working in the welfare sector, we should perform our duties not only as per the laws but also by adopting an emphatic approach towards the betterment of children. Suggestions such as making ‘Child Protection Policy’, formation of ‘Child Sexual Prevention Committee’ & setting up of ‘Samadhan Box’ in schools were given by the dignitaries of the Social welfare department, Education department, and State Legal Services Authorities.A vote of thanks was extended by Sh. Sanjay Sharma, Member, CCPCR to all. Ms. Ravinder Kaur, Ex-officio Member, CCPCR -cum- Dy. Director School Education, Dr. Monica M. Singh, Member, CCPCR, Mr. Kartar Singh, Legal Consultant, Mrs. Ankita, POCSO Consultant, Mr. Arvind k. Dhawan, Sr. Assistant, CCPCR, and Mr. Shekhar, Clerk, CCPCR were also present during this training program.