Only 1 out of 5 schools is with a Principal in Delhi Government Schools: NCPCR

NCPCR expresses 203 out of 1027 govt schools in Delhi working without a principal and looks for clarification from Kejriwal’s government. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the chief organisation of child rights, expressed that it is concerned that the state has such a high rate of vacancies in urgent posts.

The top child rights body NCPCR has written to Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev, stating that a team led by the commission’s chairperson paid visits to several Delhi government schools and irregularities about infrastructure and other aspects.

The head of schools assumes a significant part in ensuring that a positive learning climate and a mindful and comprehensive culture are kept up within the school, commented NCPCR executive Priyank Kanoongo.

The executive further commented that the shortfall of a head of school will affect kids’ wellbeing and security.

The NCPCR executive has now asked Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev to share his comments concerning the “factual position about the vacancies of HoS/Principal and action taken in this regard” by April 19.

NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo expressed that BJP MP Manoj Tiwari observed extreme issues related to the cleanliness of schools that could cause mishaps, in his visit to Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Sabzi Mandi, Timarpur, Delhi.

On Tuesday, the NCPR administrator said, “In view of the seriousness of the issue, your good office is requested to take urgent action in the matter and report on in this regard may be shared with the commission within seven days from the receipt of this letter.”

Arvind Kejriwal had on October 11 started a mentorship program under the name, ‘Desh Ke Mentor‘ for kids studying in Classes IX to XII in Delhi government schools. Under the plan, pupils were to be guided by volunteers from the nation over for 10-15 minutes day-to-day on a wide scope of points, including career, studies and adolescent related issues.

In the interim, the commission has suggested that the Delhi government promptly suspend the concerned plan/initiative till the time every loophole relating to the security of kids is fixed, and a consistent report of the equivalent has likewise been monitored by the board with supporting documentation in seven days or less.

The Commission has also raised concerns that even as the Delhi government has assured that the mentoring of the students will happen through phone calls, the children are susceptible to dangers like child trafficking through phone calls.

“It can also be pointed out here that the personnel involved in dealing with the scheme do not seem to be gender-sensitised. They also seem to lack knowledge about the nuances of child sexual abuse nor are they aware of the Laws related to children, including Pocso Act, 2012 and JJ Act, 2015,” reads the letter.

The commission has further pointed out how, “The letter is silent on the question of police verification and hence it seems that no police verification is being done of the mentees to ensure the safety of the children.”

“It has been mentioned in the response that the ‘registration process includes psychometric tests of the mentees before they are accepted into the program’. Is this Psychometric Test a full proof assessment of a person in terms of potential threat to any child? Is this psychometric test analysed/checked/scrutinised by professional practising experts? Can this Psychometric Test identify Pedophiles or potential Pedophiles?” the NCPCR letter further questions.