Teacher orientation about child related laws

A school as an institute, is designed to provide education to students who form the core of its existence. The onus lies on schools to provide a safe haven to these young and trusting girls and boys.

Consequently, schools promote the protection of students from violence, exposure to weapons and threats, theft, bullying, and the sale or use of illegal substances on school grounds. Mindful of this onerous responsibility, The Indian School conducted an awareness workshop on School Safety for its teaching staff in the auditorium on 28 July 2018 at 2.30 pm. The hour-long session conducted by Ms. Jigyasa Khokhar, School counsellor, was attended by the entire teaching faculty.

The agenda revolved around familiarising teachers with laws which provide legal aid to children in case of any social, financial, emotional, psychological and developmental threat. The following five acts and laws were elaborated upon-The JJ Act (Juvenile Justice Act, 2015), RTE Act (Right To Education Act, 2009), POCSO Act (Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences, 2012), Child Labour Act, 1986 and ICPS ( Integrated Child Protection Scheme, Implemented of 2015). In a nutshell, the JJ Act provides rehabilitation, protection or care to delinquent juveniles, RTE grants free and compulsory education to all, irrespective of financial barriers, the POCSO Act strives to safeguard children against sexual offences with support from POCSO E-box and various autonomous bodies. The Child Labour Act discourages the employment of children for earning wages, the Integrated Child Protection Scheme supports children who are HIV affected, abused, trafficked like street urchins, etc.

The workshop concluded with a discussion on several activities and approaches like role play, circle time, open group discussion, etc., to facilitate a closer interaction and identification of children in danger. Ms. Jigyasa Khokhar, School counsellor