Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in October 2021, had launched ‘Desh ke Mentor’ programme for around nine lakh students of Delhi government schools studying in classes IX to XII. The scheme aimed at connecting these students with noteworthy citizens who will offer them career and general guidance. AAP being AAP, failed to recognise the repercussions that students will have to face under this scheme. But, NCPCR comes to the rescue as it seeks suspension of the programme citing concerns over children being exposed to unknown people.
NCPCR asks Delhi Government to halt the initiative
Highlighting the safety “loopholes” in the Delhi government’s ‘Desh ke Mentor’ programme, the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is seeking its suspension.
In a letter written to Delhi Government, the commission alleged that “The programme, under which school students are provided career guidance by eminent citizens, “exposes them to certain dangers.” The Child rights body also asked to suspend the programme till the loopholes are “overhauled”.
The commission said that in view of the matter, it also wrote to the Delhi chief secretary last month. Delhi government’s directorate of education (DoE) had reverted on January 3 but the response was “ineffectual”.
“It has been stated in the response that ‘to protect against violation, mentees are assigned mentors who are from the same gender’, it is imperative to place here that abuse or assault, sexual or otherwise, is not gender biased. Same gender does not necessarily assure safety of any child in any terms,” it said.
“What if children will come in contact with rapists?”, says NCPCR Chief
Citing the safety concerns of Children, NCPCR Chief Priyank Kanoongo stated, “We’ve asked Delhi govt 3-4 things. They’re politicising it but not telling the truth; have asked them if any professional is taking the psychometric test. What are they doing to crosscheck that children will not come in contact with potential rapists?”
He added, “They are saying we are connecting same-gender mentors to mentees but today how you can believe that a male will not sexually abuse a male child. They should apologise to the country’s children and take action on their authorities.”
They are saying we are connecting same-gender mentors to mentees but today how you can believe that a male will not sexually abuse a male child. They should apologise to the country's children and take action on their authorities: NCPCR Chief Priyank Kanoongo pic.twitter.com/pCVAe251ka
— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2022
What is ‘Desh ke Mentor’scheme?
The ‘Desh Ke Mentors’ programme launched in October 2021, aims at providing volunteer mentors to students in classes IX to XII. People aged between 18 and 35 can sign up to become mentors through an app created by a team at Delhi Technological University. These mentors will be connected to students to guide them for their career interests.
As per the programme’s website, 20,898 people have registered as mentors so far. It is optional for candidates to upload identity proof while registering. The ‘psychometric test’ involves candidates having to rate how much they agree or disagree to statements such as ‘I am willing to put a great deal of effort to excel in my professional life’, ‘Men and women should be treated equally in our society’, and ‘I think lying is justified when I can benefit by doing so’.
However, AAP is supposedly overlooking the concerns and it must take precautionary measures to prevent the students from becoming the victim of any kind of abuse.