On International Children's Day - Implementation for Guidelines for safer schools advocated in Delhi

Online, November 24, 2009 (Newswire.com) - On International Children's Day - Implementation for Guidelines for safer schools advocated in Delhi
Plan India joins hands with Ministry of Education, MCD, DCPCR, NCPCR, NDMC and Primary Teachers Federation

New Delhi, November 20, 2009: On the occasion of International Children's Day, Plan India, a child centered organization , in an endeavor to promote safer schools, engaged key state government organizations, school authorities to facilitate implementation of guidelines for safer schools in Delhi. Key dignitaries who were part of this consultation were Mr. Amod Kumar Kanth Chairperson Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), and Mr. Ram Pal, President All India Primary Teachers' Federation.

Mr. Amod Kumar Kanth Chairperson Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) inaugurated an exhibition of paintings by children on safer schools expressing their views on corporal punishment.

This initiative is an extension of Plan India's campaign, "Learn without Fear," which was launched last year which seeks to advocate against all kinds of violence inflicted on children in schools. The campaign is driven against all forms of violence against children however it primarily targets at corporal punishment, sexual violence and bullying. As part of this campaign, Plan India recently launched an online petition to universally declare and condemn violence against children from all levels of society and advocate on "safer schools."

Mr. Amod Kumar Kanth Chairperson Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) affirmed his support to implementation of the guidelines on safer school- "We are very keen to put a strategy and mechanism in place where children can attend school and expect a quality learning experience without fear or threats of violence. It is imperative that we accelerate the implementation of these guidelines to ensure that we can provide children with a safe and positive environment in schools."

Mr. Ram Pal, President All India Primary Teachers' Federation said, "Corporal punishment is a violation of the child's fundamental rights, and there should be zero tolerance for any form of this abuse. Since the circular issued by the office of Directorate Education on additional guidelines to address corporal punishment in schools, this workshop comes as a very timely intervention, and the state consultation will be a step ahead to facilitate implementation of these guidelines in the near future."

As per a study released in 2007 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on child abuse in the country, it was revealed that 2 out of every 3 children reported being physically abused. Following abuse at home, schools were the next largest environment where abuse was reported. 62% of the reported corporal punishment was reported in government and municipal schools. Most children did not report the matter to anyone.

About Learn without Fear

Learn without Fear campaign, is about preventing all forms of violence against children in schools. The vision is to make a world where children can go to school in safety and expect a quality learning experience without fear or threats of violence. To achieve this it is important that first teachers as well as students acknowledge the fact that it is the right of the child to feel safe and protected. Many child rights organizations have been engaged in generating this awareness on children's rights to protection. The challenge now is to have clear reporting mechanisms in place where children could report any kind of assault or abuse they face in or outside the school and it is appropriately addressed. There is a need to involve teachers, parents teachers associations, students to work together to create an atmosphere of trust and safety in schools.

About Plan India
Plan India is a child-centered development organization that aims to promote Child Rights and improve the quality of life of vulnerable children. Plan India is a part of Plan International and currently works in 66 countries. In India, Plan works in 11 states and has directly impacted lives of over a million children and their families since 1979 and empowered them to realize their potential.
Log in to www.planindia.org for more information

Support the cause 'STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN -Make a difference and sign the online petition - http://learnwithoutfear.in/2009/10/stop-violence-against-children-your-support-will-count/

For more information please contact: Gina Sharma @ 9811887088