Threats abundant during childhood
By Rashmi Singhvi
Children spend a major part of their childhood years in pursuit of education or in preparing for schools. If they are not in schools already, they are either in a crèche, a playschool or in a school nursery, working their way up to enrol in a primary school. However, in all these places the safety and security of children in these premises is of utmost importance.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) defines ‘School Safety’ as ‘creating a safe environment for children, starting from their homes to their schools and back. This includes safety from any kind of abuse, violence, psycho-social issue, disaster: natural and man-made, fire and transportation’. The children, however, are extremely vulnerable and prone to abuse – physical, sexual and mental from the same people who are supposed to care for their well-being in these places.
A child needs a healthy, protected and supportive environment for proper growth and development. This is a Fundamental Right of a child guaranteed by the Constitution of India under the Right to Life and Dignity, Right to Education, Right to protection from abuse, right to opportunities to develop as able adults. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 (and the amendments) and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 also have strict provisions to deal with offences against children.
The discussion on safety of children in pre-primary education sector picked momentum in recent years following the increase in cases of violence, abuse, even murders in schools. The rise of sexual crimes against children – of both genders – and that of violence, murder, etc. has taken the nation by surprise.
Playschools and nurseries are considered second homes for children and such instances have caused fear, panic and mistrust in parents and children alike.
Children spend a major part of their childhood years in pursuit of education or in preparing for schools. If they are not in schools already, they are either in a crèche, a playschool or in a school nursery, working their way up to enrol in a primary school. However, in all these places the safety and security of children in these premises is of utmost importance.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) defines ‘School Safety’ as ‘creating a safe environment for children, starting from their homes to their schools and back. This includes safety from any kind of abuse, violence, psycho-social issue, disaster: natural and man-made, fire and transportation’. The children, however, are extremely vulnerable and prone to abuse – physical, sexual and mental from the same people who are supposed to care for their well-being in these places.
A child needs a healthy, protected and supportive environment for proper growth and development. This is a Fundamental Right of a child guaranteed by the Constitution of India under the Right to Life and Dignity, Right to Education, Right to protection from abuse, right to opportunities to develop as able adults. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 (and the amendments) and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 also have strict provisions to deal with offences against children.
The discussion on safety of children in pre-primary education sector picked momentum in recent years following the increase in cases of violence, abuse, even murders in schools. The rise of sexual crimes against children – of both genders – and that of violence, murder, etc. has taken the nation by surprise.
Playschools and nurseries are considered second homes for children and such instances have caused fear, panic and mistrust in parents and children alike.
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