Latest news with #SurakshaMitram
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
With ‘help boxes' set for revival in Kerala schools, questions raised about efficacy
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The implementation of 'Suraksha Mitram', a comprehensive scheme for student safety, has evoked extensive discussions. Several measures are proposed to be rolled out in schools as part of the initiative, including the deployment of help boxes, counselling for parents, training for teachers, etc. Though the concept of help boxes is nothing new, many have questioned their effectiveness. There are now calls to properly plan their re-implementation. According to Greeshma V, principal of Thiruvananthapuram Cotton Hill Girls HSS, students have been using the complaint boxes. The principal of Elipode Vidyadhiraja School, Ajayakumar V, however is of the opinion that the boxes have for long been in disuse in many institutions. 'Students tend to open up to teachers rather than submit their concerns in help boxes,' said Fr Xavier Ampatt, principal of Christ Nagar Central School. Terming the move a model for other states, Child Welfare Council general secretary G L Arun Gopi said special care should be accorded while handling notes written by students. 'The concerns should be addressed by a panel consisting of student representatives, teachers and PTA officials, so that we have a comprehensive picture,' he said.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
From zero-hour to help boxes: Sivankutty pledges new safeguards for students
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty pledged to prioritise the safety and mental well-being of schoolchildren, as reports of violence and abuse continue to shake the state. From zero-hour to help boxes: Sivankutty pledges new safeguards for students Alongside academic initiatives, he warned of stringent action against offenders, stressing that protecting children—both at home and beyond—was the government's foremost duty. In an interview with PTI on Sunday, Sivankutty said such child-friendly initiatives would be implemented in all schools in the southern state, cutting across the government, aided, unaided or private divide. The department will soon outline a special orientation programme for teachers in state schools, equipping them to address students' physical, psychological, and adolescent issues, provide mental support, and prevent substance abuse, he said. The training will focus on identifying changes in children's behaviour and learning patterns, while also encouraging teachers to engage with them in a supportive and approachable manner, he explained. "The government will not tolerate any violence, abuse, or mistreatment of children. We will implement school- and classroom-based strategies to raise awareness and foster trust among students, encouraging them to share their concerns in a safe, confidential environment," Sivankutty said. The General Education Minister's significant announcements came a day after meeting a fourth-grade girl student who was allegedly assaulted by her father and stepmother in the coastal district of Alappuzha. The harrowing story of the torture suffered by the girl came to light after teachers in the private school noticed slap marks on her body and chanced to read a letter written by her detailing her sufferings. The minister had penned an emotional Facebook post in this regard two days ago and assured stringent action in the incident, following which the accused father and stepmother were arrested later. In a similar incident, a stepfather was arrested recently by police for branding the legs of a third-grade student with an iron box in Kollam, Sivankutty said. Detailing the implementation of various initiatives, the minister said children would be encouraged to express their concerns and worries through diary writing and special "zero-hour sessions", in which teachers and students would have brief interactions in non-class times, at schools. He said as part of the recently announced "Suraksha Mitram" project, "help boxes" will be placed in all schools in which children can write confidential letters detailing their issues and drop them in the boxes. "The initiative is set to begin shortly. The Director of General Education will soon be issuing a Standard Operating Procedure to guide the process," he said. "By providing a confidential space for children to report their problems, we hope to identify those who are suffering in silence and provide them with the necessary protection and support," Sivankutty added. The minister also said that the service of student volunteer groups would be explored to identify children who may be suffering in silence. When asked about the extent of success of the LDF government's recently launched "No to drugs" campaign, Sivankutty said it has had an immense impact among schoolchildren in the state. "As the Minister for General Education, I am proud to say that this is a comprehensive effort to create a safer and healthier environment for our students. A key part of this campaign focuses on promoting the physical and mental well-being of people, especially that of youngsters," he said. He said the department has introduced various initiatives in this connection, including extracurricular activities like Zumba classes, to maintain both the physical and mental health of children and as a way for them to de-stress. "We are delighted by the positive feedback we have received from students and parents, which reinforces our belief that these initiatives are making a real difference. We are committed to working closely with our teachers and school managements to ensure this campaign's long-term effectiveness and success," he detailed. The minister further said that the government will continue to listen to all stakeholders and adapt strategies to build a drug-free future for our children. "The government and the General Education Department are fully committed to the safety and well-being of every child in the state," Sivankutty added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
6 days ago
- News18
From zero-hour to help boxes: Sivankutty pledges new safeguards for students
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 10 (PTI) Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty pledged to prioritise the safety and mental well-being of schoolchildren, as reports of violence and abuse continue to shake the state. Alongside academic initiatives, he warned of stringent action against offenders, stressing that protecting children—both at home and beyond—was the government's foremost duty. In an interview with PTI on Sunday, Sivankutty said such child-friendly initiatives would be implemented in all schools in the southern state, cutting across the government, aided, unaided or private divide. The department will soon outline a special orientation programme for teachers in state schools, equipping them to address students' physical, psychological, and adolescent issues, provide mental support, and prevent substance abuse, he said. The training will focus on identifying changes in children's behaviour and learning patterns, while also encouraging teachers to engage with them in a supportive and approachable manner, he explained. 'The government will not tolerate any violence, abuse, or mistreatment of children. We will implement school- and classroom-based strategies to raise awareness and foster trust among students, encouraging them to share their concerns in a safe, confidential environment," Sivankutty said. The harrowing story of the torture suffered by the girl came to light after teachers in the private school noticed slap marks on her body and chanced to read a letter written by her detailing her sufferings. The minister had penned an emotional Facebook post in this regard two days ago and assured stringent action in the incident, following which the accused father and stepmother were arrested later. In a similar incident, a stepfather was arrested recently by police for branding the legs of a third-grade student with an iron box in Kollam, Sivankutty said. Detailing the implementation of various initiatives, the minister said children would be encouraged to express their concerns and worries through diary writing and special 'zero-hour sessions", in which teachers and students would have brief interactions in non-class times, at schools. He said as part of the recently announced 'Suraksha Mitram" project, 'help boxes" will be placed in all schools in which children can write confidential letters detailing their issues and drop them in the boxes. 'The initiative is set to begin shortly. The Director of General Education will soon be issuing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to guide the process," he said. 'By providing a confidential space for children to report their problems, we hope to identify those who are suffering in silence and provide them with the necessary protection and support," Sivankutty added. The minister also said that the service of student volunteer groups would be explored to identify children who may be suffering in silence. When asked about the extent of success of the LDF government's recently launched 'No to drugs" campaign, Sivankutty said it has had an immense impact among schoolchildren in the state. 'As the Minister for General Education, I am proud to say that this is a comprehensive effort to create a safer and healthier environment for our students. A key part of this campaign focuses on promoting the physical and mental well-being of people, especially that of youngsters," he said. He said the department has introduced various initiatives in this connection, including extracurricular activities like Zumba classes, to maintain both the physical and mental health of children and as a way for them to de-stress. 'We are delighted by the positive feedback we have received from students and parents, which reinforces our belief that these initiatives are making a real difference. We are committed to working closely with our teachers and school managements to ensure this campaign's long-term effectiveness and success," he detailed. The minister further said that the government will continue to listen to all stakeholders and adapt strategies to build a drug-free future for our children. 'The government and the General Education Department are fully committed to the safety and well-being of every child in the state," Sivankutty added. PTI LGK ADB view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Govt plans ‘help box' in schools to protect kids from domestic abuse
Kottayam: State govt is set to launch 'Suraksha Mitram', a comprehensive project aimed at identifying and protecting children from abuse at home and in the community, announced general education minister V Sivankutty on Saturday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The move comes in the wake of the Class IV girl's harrowing ordeal. The incident came to light when a teacher of Hidayathul Islam LP School, Nooranad in Alappuzha district, noticed what the child wrote in her notebook about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepmother and father. Speaking to the media after visiting the child at Charummoodu, Sivankutty said violence against children would not be tolerated at any cost. Govt is addressing this issue with utmost seriousness and will ensure all necessary protection and support for the child, he said. General education department is formulating Suraksha Mitram that will help identify the sufferings experienced by children and will provide necessary protection to them, said Sivankutty. To achieve this goal, a 'help box' will be installed in all schools where students can submit their complaints and bad experiences in a confidential manner. The headmaster or headmistress, in-charge of this, should open it at least once a week and the issues raised should be assessed and reported to the education department for further action. Teachers will be given special training to enable them in observing children for behavioural changes and identifying issues by interacting with them in a friendly way. Ideas like diary writing or zero hours will provide students with opportunities to interact freely and openly with teachers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The project envisages turning teachers into primary counsellors for the students. This will be helpful in resolving teenage, physical and mental issues students of secondary and higher secondary classes face. Discussions were held between general education secretary, Child Development Centre, career guidance and counselling department and women and child development department in this regard. The project will be implemented with the support of women and child development, social justice and local body departments and their help will be sought to provide necessary medical support, counselling and rehabilitation of the children. The functioning of the existing child welfare committee and helpline 1098 will be made more efficient. The existing parental clinics for providing counselling to parents with problems will be made more active. Facilities like govt homes and other special homes functioning for children, who need protection, will be put to greater use. Director of public education will bring out a standard operating procedure for the safety and protection of children along the lines of Lahari Vimuktha Keralam project, said Sivankutty. He said govt was committed to ensuring the protection of children and sought everyone's cooperation for it.
Economic Times
7 days ago
- Economic Times
Kerala govt introduces 'help box' in schools to curb child abuse at home
Synopsis Kerala's General Education Minister V Sivankutty announced 'Suraksha Mitram,' a comprehensive action plan, following the alleged abuse of a class 4 girl. The initiative includes help boxes in schools, teacher training, and strengthened parenting clinics. Departments will collaborate to identify and protect children, with a focus on open communication and supportive environments, ensuring child safety. Agencies In response to the alleged mistreatment of a class 4 girl by her father and stepmother in a coastal district, State General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Saturday announced a comprehensive action plan, 'Suraksha Mitram', to prevent such incidents in the visiting and interacting with the girl, Sivankutty held a press conference, stressing that violence against children will not be tolerated under any circumstances."The government is taking this issue very seriously and will ensure all necessary protection and assistance for the child," he said. The special action plan, formulated by the General Education Department, focuses on identifying children suffering abuse and providing them with appropriate protection. As part of the initiative, all schools in Kerala will install a 'help box' where students can report their problems. The responsibility for the box will lie with the headmaster or headmistress, who must open it at least once a week to review reports and forward relevant information to the Department of General Education. Teachers will also receive specialised training to observe changes in children's behavior and identify any issues. Emphasis will be placed on friendly interactions and careful observation to create a supportive the recent case, the abuse came to light after a teacher noticed the girl had written about the physical abuse she endured in her said children will be encouraged to express their concerns openly through diary writing and zero-hour project will be implemented in coordination with the departments of Women and Child Development, Social Justice, Local Self-Government, Health, and parenting clinics will be strengthened to provide counseling to parents facing government will also fully utilise homes and special facilities for children in need of protection. "The Director of Public Education will soon issue a Standard Operating Procedure for the safety and protection of children," the minister added, reaffirming the government's commitment to child safety.
