Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur
Kundapur, Sep 17: Authorities responsible for children's rights, protection, and safety must give these issues top priority, ensure proper implementation of government directives, and take action against any lapses, stated Dr Thippeswamy K T, member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
Presiding over the taluk-level Child Protection Committee progress review meeting at the Kundapur Taluk Panchayat, Dr Thippeswamy emphasized that child protection should be a major focus for the education department. He noted that during his visits to some schools and colleges, he found that even basic requirements, like the proper installation of the child helpline number, were not met. Despite Udupi district’s reputation for being attentive to children's education and welfare, these shortcomings must be addressed, he said.
He further stressed the need for strict adherence to government guidelines on child protection by educational institutions and authorities. The revised Child Protection Policy of 2023, implemented after the 2016 version, must be enforced effectively, and any failure to do so should be taken seriously, he added.
Dr Thippeswamy sought information from education officers on dropout children, the steps taken to address the issue, and the initiatives implemented to safeguard children's rights. He also directed authorities to monitor private school bus drivers and suggested convening meetings with private school transport drivers in collaboration with the police. He emphasized that the presence of female attendants on school buses must be ensured.
He further recommended placing suggestion boxes, as mandated, with one box for every 50 children, and noted that these boxes should be installed in areas not covered by CCTV cameras. He insisted that the suggestion boxes should be opened only during child protection committee meetings.
Mandatory display boards with child helpline numbers should be prominently placed in schools and hostels. These boards must not be mere photocopies, and every school must comply with this requirement. Proper training must be provided to ensure compliance, and notices should be issued to those who fail to adhere to these guidelines, he instructed education officials.
Referring to cases of underage pregnancies, Dr Thippeswamy highlighted the seriousness of the issue, noting that two cases were reported in the taluk. While Udupi fares better than other districts, awareness must be raised, and schools should be proactive in conducting health check-ups for students, he said.
Reviewing the labor department's efforts in child protection, he pointed out that 180 locations in the taluk were suspected to have child laborers, and raids were conducted, confirming 25 cases of child labor. All were found to be children of migrant workers from other states. In Choradi, 13 children from other states were found residing with laborers at a construction site. These children were enrolled in school, and special language tuition was arranged for them, the labor department informed.
Dr Thippeswamy further urged the labor department not only to identify child laborers but also to ensure proper rehabilitation. He noted that proper management of the e-Shram registration has benefited many students.
He also called on gram panchayats to strictly follow guidelines on child protection. Panchayats must maintain accurate statistics on children within their jurisdiction, and the women's and children's protection committees must function effectively. Panchayat development officers must ensure the proper implementation of educational programs and other initiatives. There should be no negligence in matters concerning children, and government circulars must be diligently enforced, he said.
Tahsildar Shobhalakshmi, District Child Protection officer Nagarathna, and other departmental officials were present at the meeting.