Formation of Child Protection Committees stressed

Mahabubnagar: With an aim to protect child rights and provide more awareness and spread knowledge among children, parents and the society in general, District Collector Ronald Rose directed the officials of Child Welfare Department to form Child Protection Committees at village, mandal and district levels in the district.

As Mahabubnagar district is having a dubious distinction of violations of child rights and as more number of children were found working in brick lings, kiraana shops, hotels, mechanic sheds and other areas, the district administration has decided to contain this menace right from the village-level. In view of this, the Collector has directed the formation of Child Protection Committees, which would take the responsibility of spreading awareness about child rights and would play a key role in identification of out of school children and child labour and ensure that every child between the age group 6-14 get compulsory free education.

Taking part in a programme commemorating Children’s Day on Tuesday, the Collector flagged off a 2K Marathon Rally at a local Government Girls High School in the district. Addressing the officials of Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and Child welfare Committees (CWC) departments in the district, Collector Ronald Rose asked them to ensure every that child between the age group 6-14 years gets free compulsory education. At the same time the officials were also asked to ensure that all the drop-out and out of school children be identified and should be re-admitted into the schools.

“To ensure that the child rights are protected right from the village level we have directed the officials to form Child Projection Committees at Village, Mandal and District levels. The main objective of these committees would be to identify unprotected, vulnerable and shelter less children and create awareness and spread knowledge among the parents of the children about children’s rights, particularly the right to compulsory free education Act and about various government schemes for the welfare and development of children,” said Ronald Rose.

The members of Child Protection Committees (CPC) or Child Associations at village-level would constitute village sarpanch, village secretary, Anganwadi workers, and Asha workers, Teachers, parents and villagers. The members of the CPC would also be trained about the necessary rules and regulations to be followed while protecting the children’s rights. They will also be trained and will be provided awareness as to how to protect the children through 1098 child line, ICDS and CWC departments.

Govindrajulu, District women and child welfare officer, Narmada, DCPO, Shanti Rekha, CDPO, Chandrasekhar, Child Line Coordinator and members from NGOs, Anganwadi workers, Asha workers and other officials from across the district participated in the programme.