HC: Give training to Dweep teachers

Kochi: The high court has directed the Lakshadweep administration to provide training to teachers on the sexual awareness programme developed by the department of general education, Kerala, with the assistance of the resource persons from the Kerala State Legal Service Authority (KELSA). Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas issued the directive, as the programme was to be implemented in schools following the Kerala syllabus in the Union Territory.
Previously, while considering a bail plea in a Pocso case, the bench had instructed the state to incorporate sexual awareness programme into the school syllabus. Following this, the state modified the syllabus. However, the general education director informed court that schools in Lakshadweep that follow the state syllabus only purchase textbooks from the state, while teacher training was conducted by the Dweep administration.
The administration’s statement noted that any curriculum modifications made by CBSE and Kerala Board would be adopted by schools in the islands. Additionally, training on these new initiatives would be regularly provided to teachers and other school staff.
However, the Victim Rights Centre under KELSA pointed out that the training provided earlier did not align with the programme ordered by the high court. tnn