Complaints galore

CONCERNED by the alarming number of cases of girl students facing harassment and molestation and, hence, dropping out of schools, the Haryana Government’s initiative of placing complaint and suggestion boxes in schools enabling the victims to fearlessly register their voice should have borne results. They were designed to play a crucial role in protecting the vulnerable section from potential abuse and violence. But the rusty and dusty state of boxes, if at all present, in government schools of Karnal four years down the line is sadly indicative of lack of proper implementation of a well-intended scheme. It would be no surprise if the story — of the boxes being missing, unused or inaccessible — mirrors a statewide trend. Unless the children are counselled, made aware of bullying and sexual and physical abuse, and encouraged to make full use of the facility, it holds little value. With no record of redress of complaints, if any, the purpose of reforming youngsters indulging in delinquent behaviour or deterring them from crime lies further defeated.

Such lackadaisical attitude of the authorities shockingly extends further. It is exemplified by the disturbing story of some girls of a government school in Manesar fearing for their safety in the absence of a proper boundary wall. Only after they moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court a few months ago was some corrective wiring installed. The horrific killing of a seven-year-old boy in a private school of Gurgaon last September had spurred the government to come up with safety regulations for schools.

Lack of proper follow-up action and supervision of children — both by government officials and society — is a lapse that can lead to appalling consequences. But for a concerned mother who recently brought to the notice of a top international boarding school of Mumbai a WhatsApp chat of eight teenaged schoolboys sharing violent and sexually explicit remarks, including ‘raping’, about their female classmates, they would not have been suspended. Talking about a problem is the first step towards preventing the birth of a criminal.

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