The human rights education programme of the Institute of Human Rights Education (IHRE), now implemented in over 5,000 schools in 18 States, took a leap forward on Saturday with the launch of Human Rights Club (HRC) in 126 government schools, 30 villages and 30 hostels run by Department of Adi Dravidar Welfare in six districts of Tamil Nadu.
The objective of starting HRCs is to empower students to face challenges in and outside classrooms.
The initiative is the second phase of the human rights education programme launched in 1997-98 by the IHRE, formed by Madurai-based People’s Watch, to mark the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education.
In his inaugural address, P. Ponniah, Joint Director of School Education, explained how relationships had become complex even at home that made management of students more difficult. He regretted that both teachers and students were now divided in many schools on the lines of caste and religion. Even the food habit of individuals, like beef eating, was sought to be condemned. In this context, teachers should not feel handicapped by the criminalisation of corporal punishment, but should adapt to face the new challenges.
Vasanthi Devi, former Vice-Chancellor, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, insisted that education was not meant to prepare students for examinations, but to mould them as good citizens.
The HRC initiative was launched in government schools as they had the poorest of the poor, who were denied their rights. She regretted that discrimination had been embedded in the culture of the nation and new threats to the country’s plurality and diversity were emerging now.
Attempts were being made to establish Hindu culture as the only culture of the nation and provide a new definition for India. Caste had become people’s identity and discrimination was institutionalised. The former VC said the HRCs would augment efforts to create good citizens with humane nature.
Language of children
E. Devasagayam of the Centre for Promotion of Social Concerns said human rights should become the language of children.
Vidyasagar, child rights activist, said the HRC would facilitate better understanding of students by teachers.
J. Angelo Irudayasamy, Chief Educational Officer, Madurai, said that the HRC would prevent the spread of social maladies.
Henri Tiphagne, Executive Director, People’s Watch, said HRCs would be started in Madurai, Tirunelveli, Dharmapuri, Sivaganga, Erode and Virudhunagar districts.
The objective is to empower students to face challenges in and outside classrooms
