Dharamshala: The Department of Education, CTA organized a webinar-based workshop to School Headmistress/master on POCSO Act – 2012, Adolescents’ well being and Counseling Guideline from August 16 to 19, 2021. The objective of this workshop is to create awareness about the landmark law (POCSO Act – 2012) to protect children from sexual abuse and also understand the significance of providing safe learning environment for children as well as the role and responsibilities of all stakeholders. The deeper purpose is for educators to help children celebrate childhood and at the same time empower the children to be responsible, assertive and self- confident.

Ms. Donkar Wangmo, Chief Counselor gave the welcome speech and introduced the key Speaker, Dr. Jitendar Nagpal (Psychiatrist), head of Department of Psychiatry, Moolchand Hospital, Delhi and Resource person, Ms. Rekha Chauhan, Senior Psychologist and Inclusive Educator. She briefly spoke on the objective of organizing this workshop. Dr. Jitendar Nagpal ji gave the keynote speech where he stressed the importance of being an empathetic leader and be a true role model in all aspects. He also said that we as educator should provide to children what we want for ourselves as children in schools – taking care of emotional, physiological, social and academic needs of children so that they grow up into emotionally healthy citizens and future leaders.

Ms. Rekha Chauhan facilitated the workshop. During the 4 days’ workshop, she will talk at length on Child Rights, Juvenile Justice Act, Signs and Symptoms of Child Sexual Abuse & POCSO Act – 2012 while Mr. Vinayak Narayan, Advocate, Dharamsala will speak on the legal implications of POCSO Act – 2012.

The methods employed in the workshop will be Presentation, Interactive Discussion, Case Studies and lecture method.

A total of 25 Headmistresses/masters of schools under TCV, SLF (Nepal), THF & STSS participated in this workshop.

This workshop is funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC).