The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Free education, healthcare for children stressed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 11, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Free education, healthcare for children stressed

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, APRIL 10. People from different walks of life keen on child welfare today approved a set of suggestions — including one seeking to stop parentless children from being called orphans — formulated by a non-governmental organisation for inclusion in the charter of the proposed national commission for children.

The suggestions, seeking greater societal response for the overall development of children, especially for the underprivileged and parentless, were formulated by the International Council for Educational Research and Training (INCERT), an NGO, and "Redefining the Concept of Marriage in Indian Society" (RCMIS), an open-ended bio-social research project.

Unveiled at a workshop here today, which was attended by educationists and social scientists, the suggestions focus on various aspects pertaining to child welfare, including the need for extending free education and healthcare, ensuring their growth under a safe environment and protecting them against abuse.

Giving details of the deliberations at the meeting organised by the Pappus Academic and Cultural Trust, Jaya Venugopal, Director, INCERT, said the participants also supported the formation of child monitoring squads by NGOs.

The squads would help in monitoring and realising the goals, including the right to survival of the children and protecting them against harmful influences.

The national commission, which is being established by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, should have offices across the country to achieve the goals, she said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu