Karnataka State Child Protection Policy 2016: A budget, policy to protect your kids
Bengaluru: Exactly a year after it started the process of consulting stakeholders over the formation of a detailed girl child rights’ and safety policy, the Department of Women and Child Development has published the Karnataka State Child Protection Policy, 2016.
The highlight of this policy: soon the state will have a nodal officer to monitor the issues related to the girl child. It will also create an inter-agency convergence portal and a separate child protection budget.
According to the Karnataka State Child Protection Policy 2016, every ‘safe school’ must have a child-centric approach and the active involvement of children in all school-related activities.This will enable children to express themselves in a safe environment. It is necessary to ensure that all communication with or dealings with children, are child-friendly, age-appropriate and do not intimidate or offend, humiliate or degrade their self-respect and dignity. The new policy stipulates that all schools must include child protection in staff appraisals.
According to the new policy, all the schools, in case of any specific event or program such as school day-trips, or competitions, must appoint a specific individual who will be responsible and accountable for the safety of the children.
A ratio of children-to-teachers must be 1:10 up to primary school and 1:20 for high school and above.
Child Protection Policy 2016
The new policy also stresses the importance of children’s safety in school buses. According to the guidelines, tinted glass on vehicles carrying school children is prohibited.
Keeping in mind the high use of auto rickshaws to transport children, the policy has come up with a few stringent guidelines. According to the guidelines, the drivers of these autos are to be informed and oriented, through parents and schools, that pick-ups and drop-offs of children to and from school is their responsibility.
As per the Karnataka Motor Vehicle Act, a child above 12 years is to be considered as occupying one seat, a child below 12 years as half seat, and a child below 3 years is not to be considered for a seat. Details of the auto driver should be displayed behind the driver’s seat.
Schools have instructed parents to ensure that the number of children in the autos they hire are limited to the number specified by RTO Rules. Autos have to be registered and drivers’ details maintained.
