Teacher workshop on child rights and protection

"Constitution is guarantor and judiciary is protector"

This powerful thought struck a chord with many. On 22nd December, 2017 Radhika Prabhaker and Jigyasa Khokhar attended a consensus building discussion on Project CACA hosted by Salwan Public School, Gurugram. The gathering of teachers and counsellors of various schools of Delhi- NCR was addressed by coordinators of the project.

The focus of the discussion was on awareness and understanding of child rights and child assault. The resource persons spoke about the POCSO Act 2012, POCSO E Box, POSH, JJ Act, JJB, to name a few. They stressed that schools should have a collective vision to protect and nurture children.

How Indian law is effectively working for the rights of children, the ways crimes committed by children are dealt with and methods used for reform and rehabilitation of children was also spoken about. Duties of teachers, schools, parents, and law protectors of the country towards the increasing rate of child abuse was a matter of concern.

Towards the end of the session the coordinators introduced a set of workbooks for students at all levels which would enable them understand the gravity of various offences. The workbooks also would help clarify aspects of law and child rights.

The speakers left participants with an important thought to ponder about-that ignorance of the law is no fault of the law. Therefore the greater the knowledge, the bigger the deterrent.

Ms. Radhika Prabhaker, Ms. Jigyasa Khokhar.