Arunachal rights body submits welfare recommendations for children to CM

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal child rights body on Thursday submitted its observations and recommendations on issues concerning the children of the state to Chief Minister Pema Khandu during a meeting here.

The discussions centred around pressing child rights issues, including education, health, safety, and protection from abuse and substance addiction, the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) said in a statement.

During the meeting, the commission Chairperson Ratan Anya emphasised the need for effective implementation of Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, to ensure free and compulsory elementary education for at least 25 per cent of students from weaker sections in private unaided schools. It also called for the activation of the grievance redressal mechanism under Section 32 of the RTE Act, the statement said.

Addressing the issue of bullying and substance abuse among children, the commission recommended framing common state guidelines for the constitution of anti-bullying committees in all schools, making their implementation mandatory from the 2025-26 academic session.

It further stressed the need to activate prahari clubs in schools to prevent drug and substance abuse, the statement said. The APSCPCR also highlighted concerns regarding children with special needs (CWSN) and recommended the appointment of developmental paediatricians along with supporting staff for early detection and treatment of intellectual disabilities.

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Educate children about rights

It proposed the establishment of child development centres in the state to support the holistic development of CWSN. It welcomed the recent cabinet decision to expand the CM’s 'Bal Seva' scheme to all registered orphan children and those residing in child care institutions (CCI), the commission statement said.

The APSCPCR stressed the need for formulating state-specific guidelines for regulating privately run daycare centres, creches, playschools, and pre-schools. Expressing concern over the rising cases of sexual assaults on minors, particularly in hotels, lodges, and commercial establishments, the child rights body recommended mandatory digitalisation of visitor tracking registers, with regular monitoring by the police.

The calendar aims to educate children on their rights through classroom teaching across the state. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including commissioner to CM Sonam Chombay, among others, the statement added.