Jammu, August 29: Jagdeep Padha, Chief Education Officer, called on all HOIs of district Jammu to ensure that schools are safe places for children without any abuse or exploitation. He called upon them to take all preventive steps so that no incident of abuse takes place. He was speaking at a symposium on child rights and child protection organised by the National Development Foundation, Department of School Education, and UNICEF India at Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School, Bazar Qasaban. CEO Padha was the Chief guest in the symposium, Mr Rajiv Khajuria, President of the National Development Foundation, was the guest of honour and the Principal of the School, Ms Kamlesh Bhagat, Presided over.

The symposium was a platform for students to actively engage in the discussion on child rights and protection. Their enthusiastic participation was evident in their compelling speeches. Sabiya, Muqadas Shabir, and Arush Fatima stood Ist, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively, while Hafsa Tafiq and Lakshmi Nath bagged the consolation prizes. All the participants were given certificates.

The school's principal, in her address, Ms. Kamlesh Bhagat, the Principal, encouraged the students to report any child rights violations they encountered. Ms Neeru acted as stage secretary, while Mr Kulbir Singh, Senior Lecturer, Ms Mamta Kouser, Senior Lecturer, and Ms Manu Khajuria, Senior Lecturer, judged the participants. Vice Principal Ms Poonam Suri Presented a Vote of Thanks. The programme was facilitated by NDF APO Nisha Pandita and team members Aman Sharma, Preeti Manhas, and Rishab Tidyal.

Mr Rajiv Khajuria, President of the National Development Foundation and a known Child Protection Strategist with extensive experience and oversight expertise in Child Rights and Child protection, assured full technical support to the school system for developing ways and measures to prevent incidents of Physical and mental, or sexual abuse of children in schools and family settings in his address.

Jagdeep Padha – Chief Education Officer Jammu acknowledged the significant role of the National Development Foundation in facilitating the department's extensive campaign on Child Rights and Child Protection, which is the need of the hour. He highlighted the foundation's commitment and the full support extended by the education department to NDF for such positive actions. He also briefed on the steps taken by the government to ensure safety and security of children in schools.