Observe child rights and safety week from November 14 to 20, schools told

The state education department has asked schools to observe November 14 to 20 as child rights and safety week to mark the 30-year anniversary of the United Nations

The state education department has asked schools to observe November 14 to 20 as child rights and safety week to mark the 30-year anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

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As part of the initiative, schools have to conduct a range of activities to generate awareness about the rights of children and to protect these rights. “School authorities should take rounds in the neighbourhood to understand if there are any threats to the safety of schoolchildren — from potholes on the roads, dangerous materials lying around, etc. Similarly, they should meet the parents of students who are irregular in order to understand the underlying reasons behind their absence. Schools should then ensure that any hurdles, be removed,” states the circular issued on Friday.

Schools have also been asked to train students and parents about healthy and safe living practices with things like nutritious eating, good health and continuous education being emphasised on time to time.

Teachers said that the initiative will be a welcome step if implemented well.

“There are already some existing initiatives to ensure the safety of children including the setting up of POCSO boxes for students to be able to report incidents of sexual harassment openly. However, in many places, these initiatives are only on paper and see no implementation. This should not happen with the said initiative,” said the principal of a suburban school.