Kerala's Initiative to Safeguard Children from Abuse

The Kerala government is taking decisive action to protect schoolchildren from abuse at home with the introduction of a new program. According to State General Education Minister V Sivankutty, this initiative follows a troubling incident in Alappuzha district where a Class 4 girl suffered mistreatment at the hands of her father and stepmother.

In order to combat such issues, all schools across Kerala will implement a 'Help Box' system, enabling students to anonymously report their concerns. The responsibility for these boxes will rest with the respective Headmaster or Headmistress, who are required to open them weekly, review the reports and forward relevant information to the Department of General Education.

The program also includes a survey in collaboration with student volunteer groups to identify and support children who may be suffering silently. The Minister emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to the welfare of children, and forthcoming details about the project will be unveiled soon. Additionally, Sivankutty plans to visit the affected student in Alappuzha to ensure she receives the needed support.