Shillong: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has raised concerns over the prevalence of madrasas in Meghalaya, a fact that the state education department was reportedly unaware of.
Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo disclosed this during an inter-departmental review meeting on child rights held on Saturday at the Secretariat in Shillong. The meeting, chaired by Kanoongo, included members of the NCPCR and Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Pravin Bakshi, IAS.
“We came across the data from school education department about Madrasas. We raised alarm before the department that madrasas exist in the state, get them checked and get all the children enrolled in schools. Especially, the Commission itself observed during my visit to Ampati last month that there’s a prevalence of madrasa but the department was unaware so we have requested to get them checked and enroll the children into formal schooling so that children can avail their fundamental right to education,” stated the chairperson.
The NCPCR is committed to the welfare and protection of children’s rights, holding review meetings with state authorities every three years. This year’s meeting involved close to sixteen state departments of Meghalaya, discussing various issues related to child rights and welfare. The discussions included sharing information and establishing convergence on issues such as disabled children.
According to data from the state education department, there are about 4,000 disabled children in Meghalaya. The NCPCR has directed the departments to reconcile and converge this data and conduct a thorough survey of all disabled children in the state. The commission emphasized expediting the process of providing entitlements, such as certificates and pensions, to disabled children.
“If they are lacking their certificates or their pensions, expedite the process to provide them with all their entitlements because we have received some information from Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram which is run by state health department. They will also screen these children on Disability deficiencies, delays and diseases,” said the chairperson.
The state health department has been advised to screen these children for disabilities, deficiencies, delays, and diseases, ensuring they receive the necessary support. A consultative meeting with all relevant departments is planned to facilitate this process.
The NCPCR has urged the state to appoint a chairperson and members to the Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) and has received assurances that the process will commence soon. Kanoongo also highlighted that 94% of Child Protection Committees in villages are covered by Self Help Groups (SHG), with plans to orient master trainers on child rights protection.
The meeting concluded with a decision to hold workshops and consultative programs with the three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) within the current financial year, focusing on children’s rights issues. The NCPCR also plans to translate and disseminate IEC material about the POCSO and Juvenile Justice Act in local languages.
In response to reports of pharmacies selling schedule H and X drugs, the NCPCR has requested police vigilance to prevent these drugs from being sold to children without prescriptions. The commission also called for increasing the number of hostels to address the issue of out-of-school children and urged the labor department to compensate children rescued from child labor situations.
Kanoongo expressed concerns over the alarming situation of children affected by HIV in Meghalaya, with 364 reported cases. The commission has asked the Department of Women and Child Development to assess these cases for potential sponsorship under Section 45 of the JJ Act. Additionally, with 8,000 adults in the state affected by HIV, the commission has urged support for needy children from these families.
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The NCPCR has also requested that female police officers be appointed in stations dealing with child abuse cases, emphasising the need for proper training to prevent such incidents. The commission has taken cognizance of teenage pregnancies and child trafficking, calling for community awareness and stringent measures to combat these issues.
Kanoongo acknowledged that no place is free from child labor and stressed the need for continuous efforts to eliminate it. He noted that the ban on mining in Meghalaya has helped reduce child labor but emphasised the importance of sustained vigilance and action.
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