Some basics that many people ignored

Olivia Gurumayum *

"Education is not preparation for life: education is life itself."

Education is derived from the Latin word educare which literally means to 'bring up' and is connected with the verb 'educare' which means to 'bring forth'. Education doesn't mean mugging up of all the questions and answers in the book.

Education is the overall development of mind, learning of socialisation, training our personality and behaviour, understanding of our surrounding and of self- awareness.

It is to train our habits and attitudes to act towards society positively. As a democratic country, the government is encouraging every state to increase the number of literacy.

The importance of education should be made aware to the public in both rural and urban area; how it helps in developing and building a society, a state and a nation. Young generation are counted as the future pillar and it is really important to make them attend school and let them understand the value of it before it is too late.

The school authority has to take up proper responsibility for those thousands of students who have come to gain knowledge. It is important to give adequate information of the importance of education in every aspect of life. To build a strong nation the foundation has to be strong, the pillars must be strong enough to hold any break down.

Let us focus a little more on the ambience of the schools and institutions

Everyone opt a quiet place to read, so do children needs quiet place with peaceful mind to study. Children are more prone to distractions around them. They easily get diverted their mind by the external influences. A disturbed mind will always have less or no concentration on anything. In chaos, the mind will be fogged making them vulnerable.

Let's take an example of the recent incident that happened in Standard Robart Higher Secondary School. All the students might have been so disturbed by what happened to their dear friend. There were also similar cases that took place in other hostel and many other incidents that took lives of students.

This kind of traumatic events will definitely affect the life of those students studying in the same school if not given proper counselling and guidance on time. The lost is not only to the family but to the society as well.

How many students might have disturbed with that extreme situation that they are witnessing when they have to study to reach to their aim and goal. The intensity of the impact of this kind of situation can lead them to mental distress and can affect beyond imagination.

The school ambience should be the most peaceful place far away from any crime. The teacher-student relationship should maintain in such a way that the students should never hesitate to share any problems they have that affects their studies.

There are many provisions provided in the Indian Constitution to protect a child if anything happen to them and to guide them and correct them in the right path if they are indulging in any social deviance.

Under the Indian Constitution, violence against children is violation of right to live with dignity which is the integral part to Right to life under Article 21. The Indian Constitution as per article 15(3) of the Indian Constitution allows the state to make special provisions for children, article 39(e) is a directive aimed at safeguarding the tender age of children against abuse.

Article 39(f) directs that children be given opportunities and facilities to develop healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity, and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.

Hurting a child amounts to a crime and can make a person liable for voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt under Sections 323 or 325 of the IPC; assault or criminal force under Section 352 IPC; criminal intimidation under Section 506 IPC; and where child is humiliated to the extent that he commits suicide, then under Section 305 of the Indian Penal Code for abetment of suicide of child.

As far as my knowledge is concerned the above articles are true, however, if there is any mistake or oversight it is subject to correction as I am not legal expert. It is high time every citizen should be aware of their fundamental rights and duties.

There are many questions that need to discuss seriously. Why these kinds of laws and provisions have been introduced for children? What would lead them to commit crime at the tender age? Why would anyone pressure a child for their misconduct till the child develops suicidal ideation?

Why would anyone come up with the idea of targeting the innocent soul? Why would anyone pressure a child for their misconduct till the child develops suicidal ideation? Why would anyone take charge on a small children's behaviour without consulting any professionals? Aren't we all supposed to protect the pillar to have a better future?

There are better ways to guide children with deviant behaviour but how about the adult who committed the heinous crime. What would be the punishment? How would they be given and when is a big question.

Nobody has the right to harm children or anyone. And even the parents should be careful while punishing or scolding their children so as not to affect the child later on in their lives. If a child is violating any rules they can be guided through proper counselling by professionals.

There are many Psychologists, Psychiatrists who will always give the right therapy and guide those children. It has also been made compulsory for every school to have a Counsellor to provide guidance to the right path.

It is worth discussing how many Counsellors are appointed in every school in Manipur. It is high time to appoint Counsellors in those schools which have not yet appointed.