Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jul 8: “District administration will come up with guidelines of having mentoring system in every educational institution and make effective use of women helpline,” informed deputy commissioner (DC) Sasikanth Senthil.

The DC was speaking during the meeting with the educational institutions, NGOs, doctors and health officers at zilla panchayat office on Monday, July 8 with regards to the rising student harassment cases in schools and colleges.

“Some of the NGOs, college principals and doctors suggested certain solutions, during the meeting, like restricting mobiles in colleges, setting up of counselling centres in educational institutions, monitor movement of outsiders close to the college premises, gender sensitization and having a mentor to guide the students,” said the DC.

Law and order needs to be strong enough to curb the drug menace in the city and keep an eye on the pubs where most of under-aged students are addicted to alcohol and drugs. Even some resorts give some credit systems to the students and recently a student was drowned in the resort. Staff crunch in government institutions, due to which, it is difficult to give personal attention to the students. Full-time counsellor in educational institutions, sex education to the boys about good touch and bad touch, effective women helpline are the points that came up in the meeting of the representatives of colleges, NGOs and community forums.

Deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil said, “Several points have been highlighted during the meeting, which will be taken into consideration. We have come across some serious issues that are bothering and widely discussed in various platforms. We have to think on making the mentoring system more qualitative. If we are more restrictive then the dark life may develop. We have to create such forum where the students feel more confident and positive.”

“There should be no scope for any moral policing, which will be dealt very seriously. Educational institution should take mentor very seriously as teaching profession, where they can come out and speak without being judged,” said Sasikanth Senthil.

“Mentoring is part of curriculum where we should give attention to the students. We will come with a guideline on mentoring system as per the WHO standard. Later, we will visit to the educational institution to confirm whether it is implemented or not,” said Sasikanth Senthil.

The DC further said, “We will also make effective use of women helpline 1077, where women can freely complain if they are facing any kind of problem. Even the education institution should fight to solve the drug menace and community-oriented approach is must.”

DCP Law and order Hanumantharaya said, "Several complaints pertaining to social media have been lodged. Even I urge the district administration for strict enforcement of guidelines with regards to the mobile usage. Many NDPS cases have been registered. But from the last two years I have not received a single complaint from the public with regards to the usage of drugs. We will maintain anonymity in this case. We have conducted so many programmes in schools and colleges, but we will not get the results because of no information from the public. We appeal to the public to share information with regard to drug activities so that we can take stringent action.”

Superintendent of Police Laxmi Prasad, zilla panchayat CEO Dr Selvamani and others were present.