NCPA lessons for schoolchildren on protecting themselves

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) last week highlighted the importance of educating schoolchildren on protecting themselves from unwanted characters, sexual harassment and various similar obstacles often faced by them.

The NCPA will prepare special lessons based on these subjects and teach them in classrooms as part of the school curriculum.

The program will be carried out in collaboration with the Education Department with assistance from school authorities.

NCPA Chairperson, Anoma Dissanayake told the Sunday Observer that children of both genders in today's society face numerous obstacles, especially sexual harassment, without realising the gravity of such offences.

"It is the duty of parents as well as teachers to create awareness among young schoolchildren on these matters and educate them on protecting themselves", she said.

She said schoolteachers could play a major role in preventing children being involved in such activities. "Therefore, the NCPA has proposed school authorities to educate children on these subjects in their classrooms".

A senior NCPA official said many schoolchildren are also involved in highway accidents very often due to the carelessness of school van drivers.

"Therefore, schoolchildren should also be educated on how to prevent road accidents. Under this, children could advise their van drivers to refrain from reckless driving," the official said.

He said if the drivers do not heed their advice, the children could even make complaints to the Police regarding the drivers' carelessness.

He mentioned the school van - bus accident that occurred at Horagolla in Nittambuwa on Wednesday around 5.30 a.m among many recent accidents involving school vans.

The accident caused serious injuries to 14 schoolchildren who were travelling from Nittambuwa to schools in Colombo. The driver of the van had driven at a high speed after overtaking several other vehicles.

He also recalled an accident in Mt. Lavinia in January this year where nine schoolchildren travelling in a school van, were injured due to the carelessness of the driver. He said according to NCPA regulations, Police welcome complaints made by schoolchildren on errant school van drivers.