The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) celebrated its 10th foundation day on Friday at its office located at Directorate of Social Welfare Building, 2nd MR gate, Imphal West.
Speaking in a press meet held at the MCPCR office chamber, MCPCR chairperson Phurailatpam Manibabu said that the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) is a statutory body empowered by the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act (CPCR Act), 2005.
The Commission has been empowered to monitor the entitlement of rights and safeguard for children provided in the Constitution and laws of the country; to enquire into complaints and take suo moto notice of matter relating to deprivation and violation of child rights; non implementation of laws providing for protection and development of children and non-compliance of policy decisions; guidelines or instructions aimed at mitigating hardships to and ensuring welfare of the children and to provide relief to such children, he said.
He said, COVID-19 pandemic has affected every section of society. Schools have been closed for many months for the sake of children’s health and hygiene, he added.
Meanwhile, the Commission received complaints of children using social media on smartphones instead of focussing on their online studies, though the state government suddenly announced for resuming schools for class IX and above after many months, he said.
It is surprising that the announcement to reopen schools was made without making any preparations or giving time for cleaning up the school campuses. The chairperson said that keeping cleanliness and arranging benches to maintain social distancing is necessary even if the positive cases are going down in the state.
He said that during the Swachhata Pakhwada drive which was organised for maintaining cleanliness, the MCPCR team visited various schools, Anganwadi centres and Madrasas etc. He observed loopholes existing in Madrasa education when it comes to formal education, he added.
He further said that Swachhata Pakhwada is being observed as an initiative under the Swachhata Barat Mission to carry out various activities including promotion of clean Anganwadi Centres and Child Care Institutions, ensuring hand hygiene and maintain of cleanliness in and around institutions, from November 1 and it will continue till November 15.
He mentioned that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights sent a letter to MCPCR on October 22 to carry out Swachhata Pakhwada in the state.
MCPCR is conducting various activities under the Swachhata Pakhwada in many areas and it will continue, he added.
