Kerala child rights panel, SGOU to launch certificate, diploma courses

The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Sreenarayanaguru Open University (SGOU), Kollam, are together set to launch certificate and diploma courses on child rights and laws related to them.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in this regard by commission chairperson K.V. Manoj Kumar and SGOU Vice Chancellor Jagathy Raj V.P. in the Vice Chancellor’s chamber on Tuesday.

Later, addressing a press meet in the State capital, Mr. Manoj Kumar said a curriculum was proposed against the backdrop of a rise in crimes against children and feedback of inadequate awareness of child rights that was received by the commission during its programmes.

Following talks with SGOU, a decision was taken to launch two courses – Certificate in Child Rights and Advocacy and Diploma in Child Rights and Protection Studies. The certificate course will be of six months’ duration and the diploma of one year comprising two semesters. The minimum qualification for the certificate course is SSLC (class X) and that for the diploma is Plus Two. These are credit-based courses which enable transfer of credits as per the National Education Policy. Learning material will be made available in Malayalam and English and learners can appear for the examinations in the two languages.

The courses, perhaps the first such in the country, would focus on child rights and related laws, those related child labour and child marriage, child protection, child pyschology, skill development, nutrition, Mr. Manoj Kumar and Prof. Jagathy Raj said.

The curriculum for the courses was ready. It would include theory and practical and would benefit anganwadi workers, teachers, school counsellors, juvenile home staff, lawyers, and social activists. The courses were designed to bring about a positive change in society, Prof. Raj said. Awareness programmes, training, and workshops would be held in the future, he added.