Small steps, but are these enough?

Anmol Nath Bali

THE Punjab Education Department, under Secretary School Education, Krishan Kumar, has launched various initiatives to tackle the issue. The department, in collaboration with various state-based NGOs, has been organising a series of seminars to sensitise teachers about the evil. It has also posted a short animation film on child abuse, Komal, on its website. 

However, talking to various teachers working in government schools across the state, a different reality emerges. Battling with a lack of infrastructure and shortage of teachers, not many are aware about the education department's initiatives or guidelines on preventing child sexual abuse and other related offences in government schools, save a few who have attended these seminars, usually held in district or state headquarters. 

Officials from the department say that they also regularly conduct awareness programmes and hold lectures for both teachers and girl students through Edusat in schools. A senior teacher from Government Senior Secondary School, Lachkani village in Patiala district, says till date three seminars have been organised her school where a woman doctor from the government dispensary in the village and women police officials spoke to the students and demonstrated to them the difference between good touch and bad touch. Some women police constables even shared their phone numbers with girls.

Another teacher who teaches in the Government School in Ganga Abluki village, Bathinda district, says, "This problem is deep rooted and is the result of lack of moral values among both young students as well as teachers." Most parents in rural area are illiterate. Their conservative mindset does not allow them speak openly if ever such an unfortunate incident happens with their children, she adds. Her suggestion: "Include moral studies in the curriculum so that students can learn about moral ethics.

A counsellor, who works with the Child Development Protection Department, Punjab, echoes somewhat similar thoughts. He says many children become victims of sexual abuse and are unable to talk about it because of the lack in communication with their parents and other family members. He strongly advises parents to have an open communication with their children on this matter.