Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 01 December 2024
The Andaman & Nicobar State Legal Services Authority (A&NSLSA) organized a Legal Awareness Camp on 30th November 2024, at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School, focusing on the critical topics of Child Rights and Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The event saw active participation from students and the teaching staff, creating an atmosphere of learning and engagement.
The program was graced by Mr. Bhawani Shanker Sharma, Registrar, Calcutta High Court, Circuit Bench at Sri Vijaya Puram, and Member Secretary, A&NSLSA, along with Mr. Diptendra Nath Mitra, Judge, Family Court, Sri Vijaya Puram. Ms. Roop Ratna, a teacher from the school, welcomed the distinguished guests.
Key Highlights of the Camp:
The camp provided vital insights into legal provisions ensuring the rights of children and persons with disabilities:
Child Rights:
– The Right to Education Act, 2009, guarantees free and compulsory education for every child.
– Protection of children from abuse and exploitation is enshrined under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
– The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, safeguards the rehabilitation and welfare of children in need of protection or in conflict with the law.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs):
– The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, defines a benchmark disability as having 40% or more of a specified disability.
– The Act increased reservations for PwDs in government jobs to 4% and in higher education institutions to 5%.
– It ensures equal opportunities, accessibility, and inclusive education for PwDs up to 18 years of age in both special and regular schools.
Fostering Inclusion and Dignity:
The dignitaries underscored the importance of promoting dignity, respect, and equal opportunities for children and persons with disabilities to build an inclusive society. Ms. Amudha, a teacher, delivered an insightful address on legal aspects related to the themes, further enriching the discussions.
The interactive session encouraged students and teachers to actively engage, raising pertinent questions and clarifying doubts about the legal frameworks.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Archana Singh, Principal of the school, expressing gratitude to the speakers and participants for making the event a success.