Chennai
Recent data issued by the Tamil Nadu Commission for protection of Child Rights (TNCPCR) revealed that in 2018-19, out of the 416 child sexual abuse cases, 124 related to school students.
Along with this, 109 children were rescued and are being rehabilitated while 58 rape survivors continue their education in schools. The report also noted that 12 survivors have joined colleges.
At present, the University of Madras along with UNICEF, is the only institution to have a new short-term programme on Child and adolescent developmental psychology and Juvenile Justice (JJ). A senior official from the School Education Department told DT Next that the Tamil Nadu State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), has been entrusted to prepare a comprehensive syllabus for both school and teachers on Pocso and JJ Acts.
The decision was taken at a recent meeting with SCERT officials and authorities of Juvenile Justice Committee, to ensure safety of children in schools. “relevant information on these two Acts will be included in regular curriculum textbooks from middle school to higher secondary stage,” he said, adding since there are a lot of provisions and technicalities in the Acts, the syllabus will be prepared accordingly.
An official from SCERT, who monitors the curriculum committee, pointed out that both Pocso and JJA will also be included in B.Ed and M.Ed.
“We are also in the process of deciding whether to introduce a separate subject on the Acts for the teachers,” the official said, adding, “We have also asked for feedback and inputs from Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University, which has the M.Ed course, about preparing the syllabus.”
YEAR-WISE POCSO CASES IN TN
2014-15 - 107
2015-16 - 44
2016-17 - 71
2017-18 - 124
2018-19 - 416
(up to March)
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