Tuesday, 17 SEPTEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) has directed the Education department to ensure the establishment of POCSO committees in both private and government schools. Member of the SCPCR, Vinod Kaparwan highlighted the increase in cases of unacceptable activities such as sexual harassment and ragging in schools. Consequently, the establishment of the POCSO committees has become crucial in schools. Following recent incidents, the commission has sent a letter to the Education department to monitor and establish POCSO committees in private schools as well, he added. Kaparwan further noted that many schools in Dehradun claim to have a POCSO committee but do not follow the required procedures. He emphasised that it is customary for the committee members to conduct regular meetings once the committee is established. He further added that instructions have also been given to the Education department to ensure the establishment of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in both private and government schools. He emphasised that failure to comply with this directive will result in strict actions being taken by the commission.
Commenting about the recent incident of ragging at the Welhams Boys school, Kaparwan noted during the inspection that the school lacked a POCSO committee on its premises. As a result, the commission has summoned them to provide their legal documents on September 20. Additionally, approximately 10 schools in the Dehradun district have been summoned on the same date for the establishment of a POCSO committee, he informed.
It can be recalled that recently the chairperson of the SCPCR Geeta Khanna also prioritised the proper implementation of the POCSO committee at the private school, along with teacher training for the functioning of the POCSO Committee.
