THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a situation where the trend of ragging is increasing among school children, the Department of General Education has come up with a three-tier system to prevent it and create awareness.

Anti-ragging cells will be formed at the school, panchayat and district levels. The school cell will consist of the head teacher, PTA president, school leader, teachers' union representatives and local ward members.

The panchayat-level cell will be under the supervision of the panchayat president. All the schools in the panchayat will come under its purview. The district cell will include the collector and the district panchayat president. All the three cells will meet at regular intervals to review matters.

Minister V. Sivankutty told 'Kerala Kaumudi' that the aim is to develop an anti-ragging attitude in children before they enter higher education. A committee comprising senior officials of the Education Department will be tasked with providing a detailed report on the structure and functioning of the cells. The Minister also informed that the Director of General Education has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive study on the background leading to ragging in schools where ragging took place.

Special assembly once a month

• A special assembly will be held in schools once a month to create awareness against ragging
• The cells will also examine the mental state and family environment of the children
• Systems will be created to prevent criminal tendencies by keeping children active in extracurricular activities such as art and sports

Teacher-student relationship will be strengthened

The Department of General Education has also initiated moves to strengthen the teacher-student relationship. The aim is to strengthen the relationship so that children can openly express their concerns to teachers.

"Teachers should make an effort to listen to the concerns and pressures of children with empathy and find solutions." - V. Sivankutty, Minister of Education