what principals and authorities have to say
Carlyle McFarland, principal, La Martiniere College
We initiated the system of external facilitators coming to our school and talking to our students about sensitive topics. We began with Class 9 and later introduced it for Class 3 and 4 also. It free exchange of thoughts between students & facilitators.
Promini Chopra, principal, Seth MR Jaipuria school
Since last year, starting with the LKG, we have been informing students about the good touch and bad touch. We ask them to recognise two adults whom they trust. This year, we have also started holding sessions with parents, where we talk to them and warn them against the occurrence of such child sexual abuse.
Peter Fanthome, principal, St Teresa’s Day School
Students in Classes 9, 10, 11 and 12, are the well-informed lot and those in classes 6, 7 and 8 are the curious ones. Schools can reduce incidence of abuse by keeping these two lots separate from each other. We have helpers on each floor who help students. We also hire supervisors to keep a check on the activities of students.
Urvashi Sahni, CEO, Study Hall Educational Foundation
In western countries, it is the legal responsibility of teachers to report abuse cases to police if they come across any such case. Workshops need to be organised to address the issue. We organise workshops for children and parents of Class 9 and even Class 1.
Anushi Dwivedi, senior teacher at Loreto Convent
We bring in professional counsellors in our school to help the students who have undergone some sort of abuse. Schools should hold parents in confidence and safeguard the interests of the children. Building a safe environment for children is the responsibility of every educational institution and parent.
Rajiv Tuli, director, Modern Academy
A 2007 survey states that 50% of children are abused in some or the other way and 70% of them are abused by trusted people. UP is on 4th place in India with 82% cases of child abuse, with Assam leading the list (84% cases). Social issues like poverty, caste & Devadasi system, are some reasons behind child abuse.
JC Gupta, principal, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Child sexual abuse has devastating effects on emotional health of children. All sections of society should relate to school teachers as guardians. The concept of High Five should be implemented, where every child should at least have 5 people with whom he can confide his emotions.
RP Mishra, state secy UP Madhyamik Shikshak Sangh
Sex education should be a part of the academic syllabus. It’s not only the responsibility of the school but also of the parents to look after their children. I would request parents to take out time to ensure that their children are happy and facing no problems.