Education of survivor kids stressed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 14 2024:
Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) Chairperson Keisham Pradipkumar visited two relief camps opened at Porompat Veterinary Complex and Governor Dance College, Palace Compound today.
The team led by the MCPCR Chairperson include officials of the Social Welfare Department, Education Department, Anganwadi workers and helpers.
Civil Engineering student Sapam Newton presented tiffin boxes to children at the camps.
During the visit at the relief camp at Porompat Veterinary Complex, MCPCR Chairperson Keisham Pradipkumar appealed to the adult inmates to enrol their wards at the nearest schools.
He said Imphal East district has a total of 2016 displaced children in relief camps and all of them under the age of 18 are categorised as children in need of care and protection according to the Juvenile Justice Act.
They should be given proper care and education, he said.
School going children between 6 and 18 years of age, in addition to the meal they get at the relief camp, should have access to tiffin/lunch box facilities, he said, seeking Government's attention on the matter.
Child Development Project Officers under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme are reported to have reached out to Anganwadi centres to provide supplementary food to children at relief camps.
This is a good initiative, he said.
As it has found that some children at the camp have not been enrolled in schools yet, the MCPCR Chairperson appealed to the guardians and parents to enrol them at nearest schools without delay.
All the displaced children at relief camps should have access to education, proper food and care, he said, adding it is never too late for the parents to enrol their children at the nearest Government schools.
Many children at relief camps have been enrolled at Government schools.
To ensure that they get education, teachers must attend schools without fail and on time.
Surprise inspections will be conducted at Government schools, he said.
Students may face some problems due to differences in the syllabi and medium of instruction when they change schools from private schools to Government schools.
The Education Department may conduct remedial classes for such students at the relief camps to help them cope with the transition, he said, asking the Zonal Education Officers accompanying him to look into the matter.
Children are innocent.
They shouldn't be harmed or hurt.
Many children have been traumatised due to violence that has occurred in Manipur.
This is a great loss for the State, he said.
Even though there is conflict between communities, children should be allowed to get education without disturbance.
All the relief camps should have a dedicated learning space for students to study and a space for extracurricular activities, he said, appealing to individuals and groups running relief centres.