The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) conducted a Joint Meeting on Registrations of Child Care Institutions on 23rd February, 2023 at the Conference Hall, Secretariat, Porvorim. The meeting was presided over by Peter F. Borges, Chairperson with participation of Members, Commission, District Magistrates, Director of Women & Child Development, Social Welfare, Education and Child Welfare Committees.
The meeting was conducted in view of large number of hostels and boardings that exists in the state of Goa, housing children some of which are attached to schools, religious institutes and some stand-alone which are not registered with any authority.
“Children staying at hostels, including those attached to schools, are as vulnerable as children in any other facility like child-care institutions (CCIs) and day-care centres. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a set of guidelines to ensure adequate safety, minimum standard of living conditions and periodic inspections at hostels. There is need to enforce minimum standards of care required for such children living in any facility either created by the government system or by civil society organizations”, said Peter F. Borges.
The Commission has recommended to Review and adopt “Regulatory Guidelines for Hostels of Educational Institutions for Children”, drafted by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights which are applicable to any institution not falling under the categories mentioned in the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 in line with the directions of the Apex Court in Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 102 of 2007 – Action (Directorate of Education).
Also, to conduct inspections of all childcare institutions which are not covered under the ambit of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 for any violations under the act. It is incumbent upon the government to arrive at a collective decision to ensure that all child care institutions are regulated under proper law, keeping in mind welfare of children keeping in view their best interest and holistic development – Action (Directorate of Women and Child Development & District Magistrates).
