Karnataka to come out with child protection policy

In the wake of repeated incidents of sexual violence against children in schools, the Karnataka cabinet today decided to come out with child protection policy for safer schools in the state.
"With an intention to provide safety to children in schools, the cabinet has given its approval for child protection policy for safe schools in Karnataka," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters here after a cabinet meeting.
He said the policy will be applicable to all schools whether it is government, aided or non-aided and those that comes under CBSE, ICSE and other boards, including international schools.

Stating that the guidelines and rules with respect to the policy will be issued to schools, Jayachandra said "it speaks about the responsibility of schools managements, teachers and parents; it speaks about setting up of children protection committee."
He said the policy defines the role and responsibility of the school headmaster/principal with regard to safety of the children. It speaks on the appointment of school safety officers and members to the child protection committee, along with convening regular meetings of the committee and review among other.
To a query, he said, "what we will be issuing is only policy guidelines, in case of non-implementation or improper implementation of the policy we will have to come out with government order or a law, which we will do as and when required in the days to come."

Five incidents of alleged sexual assaults of minor girls in schools here in as many months have led to growing public outrage and concern over safety of girls in schools.