SC issues rules for children's education in restored families and CCIs

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a set of guidelines concerning the education of children from Child Care Institutions (CCIs) amidst lockdown. Keeping in mind that a huge number of children from CCIs have been restored with families since March, the Apex Court has directed the State and UT governments to provide a monthly sum of Rupees 2000 for the education of each of these children. The Court has also called for equal importance for the education of those who still continue to live in the CCIs, by providing teachers for a group of 20-25 children, supplying necessary lessons or provisions. 

A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao, Hemant Gupta and Ajay Rastogi issued the guidelines on the suo moto case "In Re Contagion of COVID19 Virus in Children Protection Homes", after accepting the suggestions made by amicus curiae Advocate Gaurav Agarwal. Citing the need to provide proper materials, infrastructure and opportunities to the children in need, the Court has entrusted District Child Care Protection Unit (DCPUs) with setting and regulating recommendations based on each district and ensuring steady adherence to the rules.

The Bench regulated a government-funded payment of Rupees 2000 towards the education of each child staying currently with restored families. The DCPUs are ordered to record assessments of children's progress and  report to the District Legal Services Authorities about the progress made in the direction of these guidelines. As regards for those staying in the Child Care Institutions, SC has asked the authorities to be more vigilant in assigning teachers, providing ample stationery and extra classes so that children can prepare well for the final exams upon commencement in March, 2021. Finally, the Apex Court has strictly announced proper implementation and allegiance of the State and Union Terrirtories to the guidelines issued.

The SC guidelines came after a hearing was conducted on a suo moto case concerning the poor condition of children who have been living in juvenile homes, CCIs, kinship or foster homes amidst Corona pandemic. Notably a total of 2,27,518 children were in CCIs when the Covid-19 pandemic started, of which 1,48,788 children were restored to their families.

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