’Freedom’ of children compromised by CCTV

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 17, 2017:  Speaking at a district-level workshop on "Karnataka State Child Protection Policy 2016", organised by the Women and Child Welfare department and Dakshina Kannada district Child Protection Unit at zilla panchayat hall in Mangaluru on Jan 16, Monday; Unicef Education and Child Protection Advisory Committee member Suchitra Rao, stated that openions are rife to confirm that by installing CCTVs in the classrooms, the children do not get freedom. More discussion is needed in this regard, she said .

"The children need space to show their original behaviour and develop. If they feel that someone is watching them, they feel restricted.  This is an opinion about installing CCTV cameras in the classrooms. Hence, there is a need to carry out discussions on the topic," she said.

Karnataka state has come up with a comprehensive Child Protection Policy. Other states have also been seeking suggestions from the state in framing the policies in their states. Education department and department of Women and Child Welfare should make efforts towards the effective implementation of the policy. The policy applies to education institutions, ashram schools, madrasas and residential coaching centres.

Unicef Child Protection unit regional convener K Raghavendra Bhat said the state has not done significant achievement in Human Resource Development Index. A total of 68 points have been given to the state in children’s welfare. He lamented that the assaults on children have not decreased.

Children’s Welfare Committee president Nikesh Shetty, child protection officer Usman and Women and Child Welfare department deputy director Sundar Poojary were present at the workshop.