New Child Protection Policy to receive Cabinet approval: 

NCPA mulls doing away with Grade 5 schol exam

by Manjula Fernando

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has proposed to do away with the Grade 5 scholarship examination as part of a new Child Protection Policy which is yet to receive Cabinet approval.

NCPA chairperson Anoma Dissanayake said the NCPA has conceded that children are pressurised excessively by teachers and parents due to competitive examinations in early school years and this is tantamount to child abuse.

The new policy has also recommended to increase compulsory schooling to 5-16 year from the current 5-14 years, she told the Sunday Observer. The new policy open for public discussion till November stresses that the right of children to leisure must be respected by elders and education providers, ensure an enjoyable experience for children in school sans unrealistic targets and competitive examination hurdles, particularly primary students.

It also incorporates a strict enforcement on banning corporal punishment in schools while encouraging training for school heads and teachers on non-violent teaching, learning and disciplinary measures.

Among the other recommendations are the maintenance of a Child Offenders Registry, a National Database on child abuse, a new Foster Care Act and revised harsher penalties for child abuse.

The proposal which has already received the Children and Women’s Affairs Ministry sanction will be submitted for Cabinet approval next month.