Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has stated that large number of hostels and boardings that exist in the State, housing children some of which are attached to schools, religious institutions and some stand-alone are not registered with any authority.
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A meeting was held on Friday to review the registrations of child care institutions, which was presided over by Peter F. Borges, chairperson, with participation of members, Commission, District Magistrates, Director of Women and Child Development, Social Welfare, Education and Child Welfare Committees.
It was brought to the notice during the meet that the children staying at hostels, including those attached to schools, are as vulnerable as children in any other facility such as child care institutions (CCIs) and day care centres. The GSCPCR felt that it is necessary to adopt a set of guidelines to ensure adequate safety, minimum standard of living conditions and periodic inspections of the hostels.
“There is need to enforce minimum standards of care required for such children living in any facility either created by the government system or by civil society organisations,” said Chairperson Borges.
The Commission has made recommendation of review and adopt “Regulatory Guidelines for Hostels of Educational Institutions for Children”, drafted by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights which are applicable to any institution not falling under the categories mentioned in the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, in line with the directions of the Supreme Court in Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 102 of 2007 – Action (Directorate of Education) to the authorities.
The Commission further recommended conducting inspections of all child care institutions which are not covered under the ambit of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, for any violations under the Act.
“It is incumbent upon the government to arrive at a collective decision to ensure that all child care institutions are regulated under proper law, keeping in mind the welfare of children in view of their best interest and holistic development – action (Directorate of Women and Child Development and District Magistrates),” the chairperson added.
