The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights ( NCPCR) has asked the education departments across the country to adopt a code of conduct to ensure transparency in admission to disadvantaged children under Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category. The direction comes in the wake of plethora of complaints about denial of admission by the private schools. NCPCR Chairperson, Shanta Sinha said in a directive to the state governments that the admission process should be clearly specified in the brochure, school website and notice boards. Denial of admission under the EWS category can attract punitive action, including derecognition of the school. She said implementation of code of conduct by the schools will strengthen transparency and accountability in effective implementation of right to education Act. It will also help the governments get direct information and feedback from the people on the status of working of the RTE, she said. The Commission also wants the States to organise awareness programmes for dissemination of information on the code of conduct.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, NCPCR, has asked the Karnataka government to submit a report following allegations that four students from economically weaker section,EWS, were humiliated in a Bangalore school. Taking suo motu cognisance of a media report, the NCPCR has also sought an Action Taken Report in this regard.

The parents of the students of Class I admitted under EWS quota of Right to Education Act in this school have alleged that the children were humiliated and discriminated. The Commission also asked the Secretary to initiate necessary action against the concerned school authority and other functionaries, if found guilty. It also instructed to ensure that the children got immediate counselling at state cost.

The government will soon amend the Juvenile Justice Act to improve the quality of care at Children's Homes and prevent abuse of inmates. A statement from the Women and Child Development, WCD Ministry said, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 will be amended to make non-registration of Children's Homes, a punishable offence. Under this Act, All the Children's Homes would be subject to stringent scrutiny and monitoring. The statement was issued after WCD Minister Krishna Tirath held a meeting with officials from Ministries of Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, Labour and Employment and Human Resource Development, to discuss the measures to prevent child abuse. Mrs Tirath expressed her concern over
various incidents of abuse and exploitation of children that have been reported by the Media in the recent past. She emphasised the need for stepping up coordination among Departments, Ministries, state governments and the civil society in order to avoid occurrence of such incidents.
The Minister also informed officials that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill which has been passed by the Cabinet, will be re-introduced shortly in the Rajya Sabha. Mrs. Tirath also informed that Childline Service, a 24-hour telephone helpline service for children in distress, has been expanded to more than 200 locations now.
Officials from National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), National Commission for Women (NCW) and voluntary organisations were also present in the meeting.