Seminar on child rights issues held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 31 2012: A one day seminar on 'Child Rights Issues' was organised by Centre for Social Develop-ment, Palace compound at Hotel Imphal today.

Elaborating on his presentation on 'Present Education system and its reflection in the promotion of child rights' Dean of School of Humanities and Environmental Sciences Prof W Nabakumar stated that present Indian education system is compelling one and all to wonder whether or not the issue of child rights is being addressed in a satisfactory manner.

Suggesting that social Studies should incorporate lesson on the relationship as well as decorum between the family elders and the children, he opined that focusing solely on the academic aspects cannot ensure all-round development of a child.

Desiring that familial norms along with characteristics of the local customs and traditions should be included as school curriculum, Prof Nabakumar emphasised as children need to be groomed from a tender age the first lessons should begin at home.

Contending that the mid-day meal scheme is not implemented in a judicious manner in the State, he cautioned that unless and until health of the child is accorded top priority no amount of academic knowledge could be transformed into socially productive venture.

Highlighting that the Indian education system is a remnant of the western model of education and incongruent to the Manipuri society, he stated that restructuring the education system is inevitable to mould the future pillars of the society.

Further pointing out that the present education system is devoid of curriculum on child rights and related issues, Prof Nabakumar recommended that rights of the children should be thoroughly taught from an early age.

He also called upon the NGOs to regularly conduct awareness programme on child rights.

Speaking on 'Role of Media to ensure child rights in Manipur', Imphal Free Press editor Irengbam Arun conveyed that media houses take extreme precaution not to publish gory images in the newspapers for children get easily impressed and tend to act from what they see.

Advising parents to avoid violent altercation or using abusive languages in front of their children, he cautioned that a frequently disputing parents will have negative impact on the child's upbringing.

citing children play-acting police or UG as an example of the Manipur society mired in violence, the editor also regretted that rapidly shrinking playground in most of the residential pockets is constricting the children from exhibiting their non-academic talents.

Noting huge academic burden being piled on the young minds, he strongly suggested that playgrounds or recreational centres be developed to ensure all-round development of the children.

While asking the parents concerned to ascertain authenticity of organisations and individuals before sending their children from home for further academic pursuit, Arun also called upon the media fraternity to expose misdemeanours of educational institutions, especially anganwadi centres.

Decrying alleged misuse of mid-day meal materials by the school authorities and anganwadi personnel, he strongly recommended that an effective mechanism should be put in place to check education-related mal-practices rampant in the State.

The seminar was held with social activist Dr Dhanabir Laishram as the moderator.

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