Latest news with #KeralaStateCommissionforProtectionofChildRights
New Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
‘Padapooja' in schools: Practice is part of our culture, says Governor Rajendra Arlekar
However, Sivankutty refuted the governor's claims. 'Kerala doesn't have such a culture, and such practices will not go well here either,' he said, terming the practice cruel. 'It is saddening to see people in key positions like the governor making such remarks,' he said. 'I am not aware of any scripture in Indian culture which asks school students to wash the feet of BJP leaders,' the minister said, adding that such activity can be viewed as 'mental harassment' under Section 17(1) of the Right to Education Act. Condemning the practice, Govindan said that the RSS is trying to implement activities that were part of the old chaturvarnya system. The controversy was kicked off when photos and videos of children washing the feet of senior teachers as part of Guru Purnima celebrations surfaced from schools across the state. Sivankutty has asked the general education director to seek an explanation from the schools. The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also taken a suo motu case on the issue, stating that all incidents in this category will fall under the same case.
New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Dog-bite deaths: DHS report blames delay in seeking care in Kerala
PATHANAMTHITTA: An inquiry conducted by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) says that delays in providing care, dearth of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) at local primary health facilities and lack of awareness about immunisation of pets likely contributed to the recent post-vaccination deaths of three young victims of dog bites in Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, and Kollam. The directorate submitted the findings to the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which had sought a report based on a petition filed by Kulathur Jaising, a High Court lawyer and public activist. 'All the children sustained severe, deep category 3 injuries to such highly innervated areas such as head and neck region and upper limb resulting in direct inoculation of the virus into the nerves thus rendering the administered immunoglobulin and vaccine ineffective,' the DHS report said. It underscored delayed access to tertiary care -- often due to far-flung health facilities -- and non-availability of RIG at local primary health centres (PHCs) as major systemic gaps that need urgent redressal. The investigation into the incidents looked at different aspects, including nature of animal bite, timeliness of interventions, adherence to standard protocols, vaccine cold chain, and techniques of administration, trained staff, and awareness among the public regarding prophylaxis against rabies.
New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Pinarayi Vijayan to launch Radio Nellikka for child-friendly communication
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to reach out to the younger generation, Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is launching an internet radio for children. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will officially launch 'Radio Nellikka' from his office on Wednesday. The radio will be available online round-the-clock and will air 4 hours of programmes from Monday to Friday, which will then be repeated on weekends. The content will be both informative and fun. According to the officials, the goal is to create a child-friendly environment and spread awareness about child rights. At a time when issues like mental stress, substance use, online abuse, suicide, and social media addiction are rising among children, Radio Nellikka will spread messages about child safety, education and empowerment. It will also raise awareness about the Pocso Act, and the right to free and compulsory education. The programmes will help people understand what rights children have and how to protect them. Using stories, talk shows and interactive programmes, the authorities want to give children a voice as well as guide them on how to identify and prevent abuse. It will also provide children with a platform to show their talents and speak without fear. People can listen to Radio Nellikka from anywhere in the world without ads. In the first phase, the commission wants to connect with 25 lakh families in Kerala. The radio will reach students and teachers in over 15,000 schools, and members of PTAs, SPC, NSS units, and school clubs. A total of 29,202 balasabhas under the Kudumbashree, 33,120 anganwadis and 464 child care homes in the state will also be part of the plan. The project will also cover 21,900 wards in 1,200 local bodies, along with NGOs and resident associations. The commission believes that Radio Nellikka will help spread child rights awareness to every corner of society. It will be run with the help of women and child development, education, LSG, and SC/ST development departments along with police and excise. The Radio Nellikka app can be downloaded from the Play Store or App Store. People can also listen to it through [ or in cars through AUX cable and Bluetooth. Programme lineup ● 'Right Turn' from 7am to 8am will focus on child rights laws. The programme will be repeated from 4pm to 5pm in the evening ● 'Immini Balyakaryam' from 8am to 9 am is a phone-in show. It will bring children, parents, and teachers together to build social and cultural awareness. It will be repeated from 5pm to 6pm ● 'Aakashadoothu' from noon to 1 will let children and adults share about their stories of happiness, pain, experiences, and everything. It will be repeated from 8pm to 9pm ● 'Uncle Boss' from 1pm to 2pm is a friendly chat show. Children can ask questions, talk about problems, seek advice, and share happy moments. This show will be repeated from 9pm to 10pm
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala child rights panel all set to launch Internet radio for children
Come June 18, children in the State can listen to an Internet radio being launched by the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) exclusively for them. Radio Nellikka will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Programme schedule The Internet radio will begin with four hours of programming initially that can be heard from anywhere in the world. New programmes will be broadcast from Monday to Friday while repeat programmes will be aired on Saturday and Sunday. The idea of Internet radio for children was first conceived during the previous tenure of KeSCPCR chairperson K.V. Manoj Kumar, who, inspired by various local radio groups among children, thought of translating the idea to a wider canvas, especially considering the commission's reach. The idea is finally coming to fruition in Mr. Kumar's second tenure. The launch of the radio assumes greater significance especially against the backdrop of growing mental health challenges, ills of substance abuse, perils of cyberdom, increasing social media addiction and rise in suicides by children. Mr. Manoj Kumar says that as the commission has its objective creation of a child-friendly Kerala, messages and promotions towards that, laws related to children, commission's orders, and children's rights and responsibilities will all be dealt with during the various programmes intended to reach children through parents. The idea is to reach out to people through messages on children's protection, education, and empowerment. The commission also hopes to put across its orders to society without risks of misinterpretation through the radio, says Mr. Manoj Kumar. Speeches by prominent personalities and interactions with experts will be broadcast to examine aspects related to child safety and prevention of violence and abuse against them. The commission will prepare segments related to its orders and news and other official matters. An internal committee has been formed to analyse the programmes broadcast. However, the commission intends to educate as well as entertain through the initiative. Even then, directions have been given to ensure that the content is child-friendly. Listeners can tune in to the radio aby time that suits them. The programmes will be ad-free. From 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., they can hear Right Turn, a programme on children's rights and laws. It will be followed by a phone-in programme 'Immini valya karyam' that will feature real-life stories, conversations, and interactions. 'Akaashadooth' can be heard from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Children, parents, and teachers will share their joys doubts, and troubles through letters in this slot. Uncle Boss from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. is a radio chat where questions can be asked by children to their problems and apprehensions. All these programmes will be repeated the same day. To reach 25 lakh families The commission hopes to reach out to 25 lakh families in the State initially. Radio Nellikka can be downloaded from Play Store on Android phones and App Store in iPhones. On computers, go to E-mail radionellikka@gmail,com for sending mails for 'Akaashadooth' and call 9993338602 for 'Immini Valya Karyam' and 'Uncle Boss.'
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Reading Day to be celebrated in schools, but libraries face neglect
Even as the government considers awarding grace marks to students for reading newspapers and books, libraries in State's schools remain unutilised primarily owing to a lack of librarians. In the new academic year, the General Education department is moving ahead with implementing the comprehensive quality education programme in schools that was initiated last year. It is also conducting a host of programmes in schools such as quiz and prose and poetry competitions in connection with the upcoming Reading Day and Reading Week. Yet, concerns over students' communication abilities, apart from knowledge acquisition, are unlikely to be fully addressed if effective steps to promote reading are not taken. For this, school libraries should not only be open but also engage with the learners. 'Only in name' However, more often than not school libraries function only in name, though each year schools purchase books through the Samagra Shiksha Kerala and also charge a nominal library fee from students. Students rarely have access to these books, for there is no mechanism to issue them to students. Despite a High Court order, schools tend to post other subject teachers as librarians on temporary basis, with the government failing to appoint those who have completed Library Information Science courses as full-time librarians. A contempt of case filed by a staff organisation is continuing in court. Further, there is no mechanism to determine how effective these are or how much the students are able to make use of them. The M.A. Khader committee report on school education has mentioned the need for libraries and librarians. The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights too has observed the need for libraries and librarians in higher secondary schools. Those waiting for years to get employment as librarians point out that their appointment will help promote students' reading habit. They will also be able to guide them on research into various topics, particularly in the higher secondary wing. Library science graduates say school libraries with ample books and periodicals and research materials – and helmed by qualified librarians – are without doubt a very effective way to promote reading and enhance quality of education.
