Yongchingkumla (Top) and Dr. Zavise Rume (Bottom) addressing one day orientation programme on Protection of Child Rights and School Safety on November 25 at Pfutsero.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 26
A one day orientation programme on Protection of Child Rights and School Safety was held on November 25 at Govt Higher Secondary School Pfutsero in Phek district.
It was organised by State Council of Educational Research Training (SCERT) Nagaland and Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NSCPCR) with the objective to orient parents, teachers and students on child rights and school safety.
Yongchingkumla, secretary NSCPCR and additional secretary social welfare, Govt of Nagaland said that children are precious in the eyes of God and his people and there is a need for society including parents, students and teachers to protect the child rights at home and schools.
Lichani Murry, Legal Consultant NSCPCR said that children are protected by law and legal provisions.
In this, she said that the society needs to be aware of these legal protections.
She said every child below 18 years of age is well protected and entitled to fundamental rights, the right to free and compulsory education, protected from hazardous employment and from being abused from physical, mental and sexual abuse.
Under the law, she said, every child has the right not to be separated from his/her parents against his or her will unless it is with his or her best interest.
She also said that every child is entitled to equal opportunities to avail health facilities.
Zhonelu Tunyi, president, Chakhesang Mother's Association said that students must work in close relationship with parents and teachers so as to ensure protection of their rights and safety.
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Dr. Zavise Rume, Professor & Head, Child Rights and School Safety, SCERT Nagaland in his keynote address said that the modern day School environment is being constantly confronted with bullying, sexual harassment, teasing, mobile addiction, drug addiction and the worst is the peer harassment thereby depriving children the right to be educated in the environment that is emotionally and physically congenial and safe.
He said that there are various legal provisions safeguarding the rights and privileges of children under Right To Education Act, 2009 and protection of children from sexual abuse and harassment under the POCSO Act 2012.
He said that the RTE Act 2009 is a big commitment to the children of the nation to provide free education to all children without emotional and mental stress and anxiety without any corporal punishment.
“Therefore, there is a need to shift our approach to dealing with children from corporal punishment to emotional healing and intimacy,” Dr. Rume said.
He said that every child comes to school with the hope to learn good human values but unfortunately children are now learning a lot of undesirable behaviours from the present school environment and therefore all the stakeholders including parents, teachers and students and civil societies must put efforts together to protect children from undesirable behaviours.
He said the government is taking a lot of steps to ensure that every school has school Counsellors to cater to the needs of mental and emotional well-being of school children.
He challenged parents and teachers to be the channel of inner peace in the minds of children.
Dr. Rume appreciated the present chairman of the NSCPCR, Alun Hangsing for initiating a lot of programs on Child Rights and School Safety with SCERT.
