POCSO Act introduced in Jharkhand school curriculum to educate students on child sexual crimes

Ranchi: In a pioneering move, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) will be integrated into the curriculum of all government schools in Jharkhand. The implementation is set to begin in the upcoming academic year 2024-25, targeting students from classes 6th to 12th. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the prevention of child sexual offenses and empower students with knowledge on safeguarding themselves and their peers.

Enacted by the Government of India in 2012, the POCSO Act is designed to combat sexual exploitation, harassment, and pornography involving children. The Jharkhand Council of Educational Research and Training (JCERT), in collaboration with the Center for Catalyzing Change, has incorporated the POCSO Act into the curriculum for students in classes VI to XII. Questions related to this subject will be included in examinations, and regular classes will commence from the new academic session.

JCERT Assistant Director Banke Bihari Singh highlighted that the inclusion of information about the POCSO Act in the curriculum is an enhancement from previous initiatives that relied on health and wellness programs in schools. With this official inclusion, regular classes will be conducted to educate senior students about the significance of the POCSO Act.

Education Secretary K Ravi Kumar emphasized that this initiative aims to familiarize children with their rights, and the syllabus has been carefully planned to facilitate understanding. The move reflects the government’s commitment to educating students about their rights and contributing to the creation of a safer and more informed community.