Kerala’s Bold Move: “Help Boxes” and Zero-Hour Sessions to Protect Students

In response to alarming reports of violence and abuse against children, Kerala’s General Education Minister V Sivankutty has announced a comprehensive set of initiatives to prioritize the safety and mental well-being of schoolchildren across the state. In an exclusive interview with PTI on Sunday, the minister outlined plans to implement child-friendly measures in all schools—government, aided, unaided, and private—while warning of stringent action against perpetrators of violence.

The initiatives include a specialized orientation program for teachers, designed to equip them with skills to address students’ physical, psychological, and adolescent challenges. The training will focus on recognizing behavioral and learning pattern changes, fostering supportive teacher-student interactions, and preventing substance abuse. “The government will not tolerate any violence, abuse, or mistreatment of children,” Sivankutty emphasized, highlighting the creation of safe, confidential environments for students to voice concerns.

The announcement follows recent incidents that underscored the urgency of these measures. In Alappuzha, a fourth-grade girl’s ordeal of alleged assault by her father and stepmother came to light after teachers noticed physical marks and discovered a letter detailing her suffering. The accused were arrested following Sivankutty’s assurance of strict action. Similarly, in Kollam, a stepfather was apprehended for branding a third-grade student’s legs with an iron box.

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To foster open communication, the government will introduce “zero-hour sessions” for brief, non-classroom interactions between teachers and students, alongside encouraging diary writing to help children express concerns. A flagship initiative, the “Suraksha Mitram” project, will place “help boxes” in all schools, allowing students to anonymously submit letters detailing their issues.

The Director of General Education will soon issue a Standard Operating Procedure to guide this process, ensuring timely intervention and support for vulnerable children. Student volunteer groups will also be engaged to identify those suffering in silence.

Sivankutty also highlighted the success of the LDF government’s “No to Drugs” campaign, which has significantly impacted schoolchildren by promoting physical and mental well-being. Complementary initiatives, such as Zumba classes and other extracurricular activities, aim to reduce stress and enhance students’ health. “The positive feedback from students and parents reinforces our commitment to these efforts,” the minister noted, pledging continued collaboration with teachers and school managements to ensure long-term success.

The Kerala government remains steadfast in its mission to create a drug-free, safe, and supportive environment for every child, with Sivankutty affirming that stakeholder feedback will guide ongoing efforts to adapt and strengthen these strategies.

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