Madurai: Madras high court has sought a response from the state education department on a plea seeking a directive for the constitution of child safety committees in all govt, aided and private educational institutions in Tamil Nadu.A division bench of Justice C V Karthikeyan and Justice R Sakthivel was hearing a public interest litigation filed by C Selvakumar of Madurai.The petitioner stated that a private higher secondary school teacher was arrested in Madurai on the charges of sexually harassing a girl student in 2025. The incident demonstrates the need to strengthen child-safety mechanisms more broadly in all govt, govt-aided and private schools and colleges in the state.He stated that an effective preventive mechanism should ensure that there is a safe and accessible method for students to complain; that parents are appropriately informed; that competent child-protection authorities — and, wherever the law mandates, police — are promptly involved; and that no such matter is suppressed or treated merely as an internal disciplinary issue where a statutory offence is alleged.He stated that such a mechanism should not replace the statutory functions of the authorities. Its purpose should be preventive, facilitating safe reporting, coordinating between competent authorities, and monitoring compliance with child-safety measures. Its composition, powers, functions and confidentiality safeguards may be determined by the govt authorities, who can also be directed to conduct periodic awareness and sensitisation programmes for students, parents, teachers, non-teaching staff and administrators.The case was adjourned for hearing on Oct 27.
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