Jammu, August 24: Joint Director SCERT reiterated the government's resolve to ensure full rights of safety, security, and protection for Children in schools. She was speaking at a symposium on Child Rights and Child Protection jointly organised by the National Development Foundation, the School Education Department, and UNICEF India at SRML Higher Secondary School. A large number of students witnessed the symposium and applauded their peers who spoke on the Topic of Child Rights. Incharge Principal of the School – Dr. Satya Bhushan Raina, Ms. Anjali Gupta, Principal DIET Poonch, and Mr. Rajiv Khajuria, President NDF addressed and sensitized the students

The symposium saw enthusiastic participation from students, delivering compelling speeches on child rights and protection. Pranoksh Wali, Navneet & Anant Dhar stood Ist, 2nd and 3rd, respectively, while the consolation prizes, were bagged by Mohd. Tarfeeq and Kanishk Rathore. All the participants were given certificates. Ms. Nisha Pandita, Addl. Programme Officer, NDF acted as stage secretary while Ms. Jaswinder Kour Sr. Lecturer Sociology, Ms. Kamaljeet Kour - Sr. Lecturer Commerce, Mr. Arvind Sharma - Sr. Lecturer Chemistry & Ms. Renuka Verma - Sr. Lecturer judged the participants.

Mr. Rajiv Khajuria, President of NDF, conducted a highly informative sensitization session for both students and teachers, focusing on the importance of child rights and the concept of Child Rights-Focusing schools. Ms. Anjali Gupta, Principal DIET Poonch, stressed empowering children with knowledge of their rights and equipping teachers with the tools to safeguard these rights within the school environment.

Prof. Sindhu Kapoor lauded the pivotal role of the National Development Foundation and expressed gratitude for their efforts in organizing sessions on the crucial topic of child protection in schools. She highlighted the sensitivity of senior officers of the School Education department to such issues: Principal Secretary of School Education, Sh. Alok Kumar, IRS, has always strived to make schools safe places for children, added Prof. Sindhu. She advocated for more collaboration between civil society organisations like NDF, Mission Vatsalaya, and the school education department to address the issues of child rights and child protection in schools. She concluded by emphasizing that Child Protection is the duty of all, and there needs to be a joint effort to realize the children's rights to education in a protective environment.

The symposium concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by the National Development Foundation. The foundation expressed deep gratitude to all participants, judges, and school teachers for their unwavering support and contributions, which were instrumental in making the event a resounding success.