Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) chairperson K.V. Manoj Kumar on Tuesday called upon society to evolve a collective consciousness to resist and protest violence committed against children.
He was inaugurating a three-day State-level conclave on child protection laws here on Tuesday.
Addressing a gathering of nearly 400 stakeholders, including students, teachers, and social activists, Mr. Manoj Kumar emphasised that instilling fear in children hampered their natural growth. “Classrooms must be transformed into spaces of healthy dialogue, critical thinking, and joy. It is our duty to nurture a strong scientific temper and moral values in children from an early age.”
He noted that teachers had the significant responsibility of shaping students who carry personal hardships into the classroom into “exemplary individuals” through empathy and humanity.
Student perspective
The inaugural day was marked by a shift in traditional discourse, as student representatives from various schools in the city actively participated in the technical sessions. Their interventions provided a unique perspective on the changes desired by the younger generation, ensuring the dialogue remained child-centric.
Mental health
In the first technical session, psychiatrist Arun B. Nair discussed the escalating mental health challenges faced by children in Kerala. He highlighted the widening generational gap, noting that the thought processes of contemporary children were vastly different from that of previous generations, necessitating an urgent ‘update’ in the approach of parents and teachers.
Following this, psychiatrist Mohan Roy elaborated on the critical nature of the parent-teacher relationship. He cautioned against a rigid focus on core subjects, urging educators to recognise and foster the unique skills of each student. “A failure to care for the individual child’s potential can have long-lasting negative impacts on their development,” he warned.
The sessions also reviewed the efficacy of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act; Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act; and the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
Commission members B. Mohan Kumar and K.K. Shaju and secretary H. Najeeb spoke. The day concluded with various cultural programmes presented by children.
Published – February 03, 2026 09:39 pm IST
