The higher education department is going to strike at the root of sexual assault which is on the rise in the state. It has directed all higher education institutions and universities to make moral and value education mandatory, while framing certain rules for them to follow.
Details of the department’s notification will reach the authorities concerned by January 7. A draft of the notification, which is available with DNA, says that the authorities of the institutions need to invite some resource persons and professors to teach model education.
Such classes should be held at least twice a week. Welcoming the move, a senior official of the higher education department said: “Crimes against women are increasing mainly because of lack of moral education among youth.”
Along with this, department has specified some more norms for the institutions to follow.
“We have insisted the universities and other education institutions to implement the norms immediately,” said another official.
State higher education minister CT Ravi said: “We have prepared these norms after discussing the issues with the vice-chancellors of the state universities and the senior officials of the department. Every institution should abide by these norms.”
Proposed norms
- A separate cell should be set up to hear the grievances of girl students and women employees. It should be under a principal or head of the institution and must include a senior woman teacher, girl students and parents.
- Information about the cell must be displayed at the entrance of the institution along with the phone numbers of members.
- Counsellors must be appointed to help girls students and women employees at least once a week if they are undergoing any pressure.
- A task force must be constituted under the chairmanship of the principal. It should meet once a week to discuss issues and take action.
