Students of classes 8, 9 to learn social justice, harmony

AN MHA FUNCTIONARY SAID THAT THE PROGRAMME INTENDS TO INTRODUCE AN INTERFACE MECHANISM BETWEEN THE POLICE AND STUDENTS

NEWDELHI: Class 8 and 9 students may soon be learning about corruption, social harmony, gender issues and crimes against women and children as part of their extra-curricular activities in schools.

These are among 16 topics the research wing of the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) — the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) — has identified under a proposed student police cadet (SPC) programme for schools.

The syllabus under the proposed optional programme which is expected to be launched shortly, other than disseminating reading material, will include short films, documentaries and art work that promote peace and social justice.

A BPRD official said the idea was to devote one period per week during school hours to the SPC programme and could be treated as an extra-curricular activity.

State governments will be charged with driving enrolment for the SPC programme.

“A syllabus has already been prepared and it includes 16 topics. Another 30 topics have been identified and all of them will be taught to students of class 8th and 9th,” a senior BPRD official said.

After its official launch, the ministry will hold discussions with state and union territory governments on including the programme in the state’s education system.

They will also be advised to recommend that SPC be adopted by private schools as well.

A senior MHA functionary said that the programme intends to introduce an interface mechanism between the police and students, which, the ministry believes, could achieve “peace and public safety in the society”.

Another official said Union home minister Rajnath Singh was very keen on the progamme.

AP Maheshwari, director general, BPRD, said the programme will prepare students to lead a life with the right moral values.

“Right ideas about gender, weaker sections of society, crimes against women and social harmony have to be taught at a stage of child when his/her mind is most impressionable. We are sure programmes like SPC will engineer a social transformation across Indian society,” he said.