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  • Kerala to include POCSO act lessons in school curriculum, govt informs HC

    National
    Kerala to include POCSO act lessons in school curriculum, govt informs HC
    The court was informed that textbooks would be prepared by specialists who would give this case the appropriate consideration and attention...

    Digital Desk: The Kerala High Court was informed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) will be included in schools' curricula from the upcoming academic year.

    In a matter that is currently before the Court to evaluate and address the unique problem of cases being filed against juveniles who unintentionally commit crimes punishable under the POCSO Act, the standing counsel for the SCERT informed Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas of the development.

    The court was informed that textbooks would be prepared by specialists who would give this case the appropriate consideration and attention.

    The Court order passed on August 10 stated, “It was also assured on behalf of SCERT that awareness about POCSO will be made part of the curriculum with effect from the academic year 2024- 2025 positively for standards I, III, V, VI, VIII and IX while that for standards II, IV, VII and X will be implemented from the academic year 2025-2026.”

    Workshops for instructors would need to be held after the curriculum has been revised, the court added.

    Earlier, the state government received a harsh reprimand from the court during an earlier hearing of the case for delaying the execution of its instructions to develop and incorporate a prevention-oriented program on sexual abuse into school curricula.