The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has revealed distressing findings following an inspection of the Boys and Girls Hostel at PM SHRI Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Canacona.
The comprehensive report, released after the surprise visit on March 15, 2024, has exposed a series of concerning inadequacies and non-compliance issues posing a significant threat to the well-being of resident children.
Key Findings:
1. Unhygienic Living Conditions: The hostel premises were discovered in a state of severe neglect, with personal belongings strewn about and waste littering living spaces, creating unsanitary environments.
2. Medicine Mismanagement: Concerns arose over unsupervised access to medicines, including unlabelled cough syrups, posing grave risks, particularly to younger children.
3. Fire Safety Negligence: The absence of fire extinguishers throughout the premises raises serious concerns about emergency preparedness and child safety.
4. Toilet Facilities and Sanitation: Dilapidated toilets emitting foul odors highlight a disregard for basic hygiene standards, posing health risks to residents.
5. Inadequate Supervision and Administrative Oversight: Insufficient supervision due to the absence of a proper warden has contributed to deteriorating living standards.
6. Absence of Counselling Services: More than 400 children lack essential emotional and psychological support, indicating neglect of their comprehensive well-being.
7. Overcrowding and Capacity Issues: Limited capacity exacerbates existing challenges, compromising the quality of care provided to students.
8. Improper Sanitary Napkin Disposal: Faulty incinerators for sanitary napkins pose hygiene and health risks to residents.
9. Laundry Practices: Inappropriate drying of clothes inside dormitories impacts air quality and cleanliness.
In response to these distressing findings, the Goa SCPCR has issued urgent directives aimed at addressing critical issues within the hostel premises. These directives range from immediate measures to structural changes, all aimed at significantly enhancing living standards and ensuring the health and safety of students.
Urgent Directives Include:
• Comprehensive cleaning efforts to improve hygiene standards.
• Structured medicine management to secure and supervise medication use.
• Installation of fire safety equipment with necessary training for staff and students.
• Improvement of toilet facilities and administrative oversight.
• Appointment of a new warden for enhanced supervision.
• Provision of counselling services to support student well-being.
• Evaluation of hostel capacity for potential expansion to address overcrowding.
• Implementation of proper sanitary practices and laundry procedures.
Furthermore, the establishment of a Hostel Inspection Committee underscores a commitment to ongoing improvement and a safer, healthier environment for students.
