Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Takes Initiative on POCSO Cases in Schools

*District-Level Training Programmes to Be Organized*

Chandigarh, August 27: The Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has decided to organize special district-level training programmes to educate schools across the state about offences related to sexual abuse of children.

Chairperson of the Commission, Tripti Haripal Sheoran, said that the training programmes will include teachers, school principals, Block Education Officers (BEOs), District Education Officers (DEOs), and members of POCSO committees constituted in schools. The main objective of the training is to provide practical information on the provisions of the POCSO Act, the immediate action to be taken upon receiving a complaint, and the procedure for reporting such cases.

She said that during investigations into cases brought to the Commission's notice, it was found that in several cases related to the POCSO Act, school principals and teachers lacked adequate understanding of the provisions of the Act and the compliance requirements. She emphasized that regular awareness and training of principals and teachers on the provisions of the POCSO Act is essential to ensure the safety and protection of children. This initiative is an important step towards making schools more alert and sensitive to offences related to POCSO and creating a safe and fear-free environment for children.

She further said that it is extremely important for teachers and school administrations to have adequate knowledge of the provisions of POCSO. This will enable them to understand what immediate steps need to be taken when such a complaint arises in a school and to which competent authorities or concerned agencies the matter must be reported.

The training programme has been initiated in Kaithal district. Subsequently, training programmes will be organized in other districts in a phased manner.