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It shall be the policy of the state to provide adequate services to children, both before and after birth and through the period of growth, to ensure their full physical, mental and social development.
Measures adapted towards the attainment of the goals.
- All children shall be covered by a comprehensive health programme.
- Programmes shall be implemented to provide nutrition services with the object of removing deficiencies in the diet of children.
- Programmes will be undertaken for the general improvement of the health and for the care, nutrition and nutrition education of expectant and nursing mothers.
- The State shall take steps to provide free and compulsory education for all children upto the age of 14 for which a time-bound programme will be drawn up consistent with the availability of resources. Special efforts will be made to reduce the prevailing wastage and stagnation in schools, particularly in the case of girls and children of the weaker sections of society. The programme of informal education for pre-school children from such sections will also be taken up.
- Children who are not able to take full advantage of formal school education shall be provided other forms of education suited to their requirements.
- Physical education, games, sports and other types of recreational as well as cultural and scientific activities shall be promoted in schools, community centres and such other institutions.
- To ensure equality of opportunity, special assistance shall be provided to all children belonging to the weaker sections of the society, such as children belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes and those belonging to the economically weaker sections, both in urban and rural areas.
- Children who are socially handicapped, who have become delinquent or have been forced to take to begging or are otherwise in distress, shall be provided facilities for education, training and rehabilitation and will be helped to become useful citizens.
- Children shall be protected against neglect, cruelty and exploitation.
- No child under 14 years shall be permitted to be engaged in any hazardous occupation or be made to undertake heavy work.
- Facilities shall be provided for special treatment, education, rehabilitation and care of children who are physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed or mentally retarded.
- Children shall be given priority for protection and relief in times of distress or natural calamity.
- Special programmes shall be formulated to spot, encourage and assist gifted children, particularly those belonging to the weaker sections of society.
- Existing laws should be amended so that in all legal disputes, whether between parents or institutions, the interests of children are given paramount consideration.
- In organizing services for children, efforts would be directed to strengthen family ties so that full potentialities of growth of children are realized within the normal family, neighbourhood and community environment.
In formulating programmes in different sectors, priority shall be given to programmes relating to
- Preventive and promotive aspects of child health.
- Nutrition for infants and children in the pre-school age along with nutrition for nursing and expectant mothers.
- Maintenance, education and training of orphan and destitute children.
- Crèches and other facilities for the care of children of working or ailing mothers, and
- Care, education, training and rehabilitation of handicapped children.
National policy for children lays down that, the State shall provide adequate services towards children, both before and after birth and during the growing stages for their full physical, mental and social development. The measures suggested include amongst others, a comprehensive health programme, supplementary nutrition for mothers and children, free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14 years, promotion of physical education and recreational activities. Special consideration for children of weaker sections like SCs and STs, prevention of exploitation of children.
The Government of India adopted the National Charter for Children which has been prepared after obtaining the views/comments and suggestions of State Governments / UT Administrations, concerned Ministries and Departments and experts in the field. The National Charter is a statement of intent embodying the Government's agenda for Children. The document emphasizes Government of India's commitment to children's rights to survival, health and nutrition, standard of living, play and leisure, early childhood care, education, protection of the girl child, empowering adolescents, equality, life and liberty, name and nationality, freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, the right to a family and the right to be protected from economic exploitation and all forms of abuse. The document also provides for protection of children in difficult circumstances, children with disabilities, children from marginalized and disadvantaged communities, and child victims. The document while stipulating the duties of the State and the Community towards children also emphasizes the duties of children towards family, society and the nation.
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Participants