In an effort to better understand the problems faced by teenaged girls and boys, the Social Welfare Department will be reaching out to them in as many as 1,000 schools through its ‘Iniya Pathinaru’ (Sweet 16) initiative.
Range of problems
According to sources in the department, many teenagers face problems and often do not express them to anyone. The problems range from sexual abuse at home or school to substance abuse and child marriage.
“It is at this age that they need help and their energy has to be channelised in the proper direction,” said an official from the department. Hence the department, along with NGOs, will be reaching out to schools. Initially, the scheme will be implemented in 1,000 schools.
Suggestion boxes
“One NGO will cover 10 schools. The children will be given questionnaires and they can share their problems. Students can also drop a message in the suggestion boxes that will be kept in the schools, in case they wish to keep their problem confidential,” said an official.
Senior officials said that based on the inputs they receive, necessary programmes could be designed.
“In Chennai, girls from tenements find privacy to be a major problem as they are confined to small houses. Besides, in the city, teenagers do not have anyone to share their problems with. Hence, this programme will be of great help to them,” said a government schoolteacher from Saidapet.
“We are yet to begin the programme. We have asked the NGOs to do it in all schools on the same date and time,” the official said.