‘Need for continuous training for educational officers’
The Hindu
Schools asked to conduct counselling sessions, raise awareness of child sexual abuse: Minister
Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi inaugurated a three-day training camp on management skills development for 95 Block Educational Officers, directly recruited through Teachers Recruitment Board, at Nagamalai Pudukottai here on Monday.
“There is a need for continuous training and assessment for educational officers to work better and provide quality education,” said Mr. Poyyamozhi while addressing reporters later. Responding to questions on the recent sexual abuse cases in schools, he said, “We have been advising school administrations to conduct counselling sessions and raise awareness of child sexual abuse.”
Students were educated through helplines like 1098 and 14417 on the need to report to parents or teachers when they faced uncomfortable situations. There were 1.78 lakh centres functioning under ‘Illam Thedi Kalvi’ scheme across the State, he added.
He said a circular was issued by School Education Department a week ago asking teachers not to allow students to come to school on two-wheelers and advise them to strictly avoid footboard travel on buses.
Parents and teachers should make children abide by rules while travelling to school. It would be stressed during the next Chief Educational Officers’ meeting, he said.
“The department focuses on making investment in the future of children,” he said, adding in the recent IAS-IPS officers’ conference discussions sparked from the need for awareness at school level to tackle bigger societal issues.
Responding to a question about footboard travelling by students in view of the availability of a limited number of buses, he said, “My suggestion is students should be on time to board buses and be early to school.”