The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed the Culture Secretary to set up complaint boxes at the Irinjalakuda-based Unnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam to address the complaints of Kathakali students there.
The commission directed the institution’s secretary to appoint a counsellor on contract basis to provide counselling to the students. It also recommended the creation of permanent posts of warden and cook in the institution’s hostel to make it more child-friendly.
The commission was acting on a complaint from a guardian on the problems faced by the students.
It asked the governing body to review the problems in the functioning of the institution and its achievements. The practicality of providing art education along with education up to Class X and the employment possibilities should be analysed.
The Culture Secretary and the institution secretary should take steps to formulate an action plan to raise the standard of the institution and the hostel and increase the stipend to the students and submit to the government.
Timing
It directed the institution secretary to change the students’ art training time in the wake of complaints that they were not able to reach school before the first period, and create conditions so that the students reached before 9.30 a.m.
As children in Class VIII fell within the purview of the Right to Education Act, it should be ensured that their education does not suffer in any way. It also directed the Culture Secretary to make available funds for proper functioning and maintenance work in the institution.
