Schools Require to Pledge Students against Child Abuse: CBSE

Keeping in mind the increasing number of incidents regarding child abuse and exploitation, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed all the schools affiliated to it to undertake the 'Pledge for An Abuse-Free World for Children', an integral part of special and class assemblies.  The idea for this Pledge has been coined by the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

The CBSE has issued a notification asking schools to call for a special assembly that would read out the pledge and then include it in class assemblies. This is to be done throughout the year to reinforce the message.

"CBSE strongly feels that children should be involved and given responsibility of their safety as well as be made aware of their duties, rights and responsibilities," said the notification.

The board has already circulated the pledge to schools, and that reads, "I will not tolerate any type of abusive activities that occur anywhere against me as well as against other children who are my sisters and brothers. I will always be in the forefront to report any such instances to the parents, authorities and the police".

The pledge is aimed at equipping and empowering children at the right age, said CBSE officials.

The Kerala State Commission coined the pledge as part of its campaign 'An Abuse-Free World for Children' which was launched on Children's Day, 14 November, last year.