by Dr Mushtaq Rather
Fostering collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including parents, the community, and the media, helps address children’s needs and concerns effectively.
In this era of technological ubiquity, where children are perpetually enthralled by the glow of digital screens, the allure of sports grounds and physical activity is waning with each passing day. The encroachment of Artificial Intelligence into our technological landscape threatens to further erode this already tenuous connection.
The younger generation’s predilection for a sedentary existence, coupled with a palpable apathy towards sports participation, has far-reaching and devastating consequences for their overall well-being. The trifecta of physical, mental, and psycho-social health hangs in the balance, as the proliferation of social media platforms serves as a grim reminder of the alarming surge in youth suicides.
Self-inflicted harm, often borne from severe mental trauma, anxiety, and depression, has become an all-too-familiar narrative. The erosion of face-to-face socialization and the abandonment of sports activities, once a stalwart means of cultivating mental and physical fortitude, have contributed to this tragic situation.
In their stead, our youth have created virtual echo chambers, where interactions with digital personas supplant meaningful human connections, transcending geographical boundaries but exacerbating the perils of un-socialization. As a society, we are now grappling with the ill effects of this trend, as the rising tide of substance abuse lays waste to the dreams and aspirations of our youth. The proliferation of drug hotspots, once a rare phenomenon, now seems to multiply with each passing day.
Schools are the formative institutions that leave an indelible mark on an individual’s life. They serve as the crucible where young minds are nurtured, and the foundations of knowledge, socio-emotional skills, and character are laid. It is within these hallowed halls that individuals develop essential life skills, including self-control, resilience, critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.
The transformative power of education cannot be overstated. Access to quality education and safe, supportive learning environments has been unequivocally linked to improved health outcomes. In turn, good health has been shown to decrease dropout rates, while increasing educational attainment, performance, employability, and productivity.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has long recognized the symbiotic relationship between health and education, acknowledging the pivotal role schools play in safeguarding student well-being. By implementing age-specific interventions, schools can positively impact a range of health indicators, thereby transforming the lives of countless individuals.
Concerns regarding the safety and security of students within and beyond school premises persist, warranting attention to the following pressing issues:
Corporal punishment: Despite the explicit prohibition of physical violence in Indian schools, including those in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, disturbing reports of teachers resorting to physical violence continue to emerge. This egregious practice jeopardizes the well-being and educational pursuits of school-going children, driving up dropout rates. Corporal punishment inflicts both direct and indirect physical and mental harm, fostering increased aggression and anti-social behaviour.
Excessive school bag weight: While digital interventions have mitigated paperwork to some extent, students are still burdened with hefty school bags, leading to a surge in persistent lower back and spinal deformities among young scholars. Prolonged exposure to heavy backpacks can result in spinal angulations during late adolescence, culminating in severe deformities.
Inadequate infrastructure: Although infrastructural development has shown improvement, dilapidated facilities remain a common sight in both government and private institutions. Unsafe roofs, narrow entrances, corridors, staircases, and the lack of emergency exits often contribute to unfortunate incidents during both anthropogenic and natural calamities.
Limited scope for games and extracurricular activities: Particularly in private schools, students are afforded scant opportunities to engage in co-curricular activities due to a relentless schedule of classes, tests, tuitions, and assignments. This leaves children exhausted, stressed, and strained, with precious little time for play or relaxation.
Alarming Rise in Substance Abuse: A disturbing trend of school-going children succumbing to hard drugs like heroin has emerged, particularly in our region. Recent data from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reveals a stark reality: Jammu and Kashmir has surpassed Punjab in heroin consumption, with a staggering 90 per cent of drugs used being hard and synthetic opioid substances. Students often experiment with drugs out of curiosity, only to become entangled in a vicious cycle of addiction, making recovery a formidable challenge.
Screen Addiction: While technological advancements have revolutionized knowledge dissemination, excessive screen time has become a pressing concern. Children are increasingly enthralled by electronic gadgets, leading to a sedentary lifestyle and compromised well-being. Research indicates that prolonged screen exposure hinders socialization, creativity, and critical thinking, taking a profound toll on physical and mental health.
Child Sexual Abuse: The scourge of child sexual abuse has become a grim reality. Children are vulnerable to various forms of sexual exploitation, even in the supposed safety of their own homes. Residential and day boarding schools have witnessed a surge in sexual assault cases. A study by the Ministry of Women and Child Development reveals that 52 per cent of children aged 5-12 reported experiencing some form of sexual abuse, with 55 per cent being boys. These findings shatter the notion that boys are safer than girls, sounding a clarion call for collective action.
Health Concerns: The decade spanning 10-19 years is often perceived as a period of relative physical invincibility. However, this stage of life is replete with unique health needs and concerns that have been overlooked in policy and programming. The Lancet Commission Report on Adolescents reveals a sobering reality: Suicide, malnutrition, depressive disorders, and tuberculosis are the leading causes of ill health among young Indians.
Anaemia poses a significant threat, with approximately 54 per cent of girls and 29 per cent of boys aged 15-19 years afflicted nationwide. The situation is even more dire in Jammu and Kashmir, where a staggering 76 per cent of girls and 68 per cent of boys suffer from anaemia. Furthermore, the National Family Health Survey reveals that a mere 58 per cent of girls aged 15-24 years employ hygienic practices during menstruation, leaving the remainder vulnerable to reproductive tract infections.
Effective Mitigation Measures
To foster health and wellbeing among school-going children, a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) was launched by the Prime Minister on April 14, 2018. However, its implementation was delayed due to the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, and the program finally commenced in Jammu and Kashmir in 2023. This initiative harmonizes diverse programs, such as the Adolescence Education Programme, life skills, value education, and critical thinking, to promote holistic development and well-being.
Childhood and adolescence are pivotal phases of life, ripe for absorbing new information and ideas that can shape their behaviour. Investing in these age groups yields substantial public health benefits. We must uphold the belief that children are a valuable resource, deserving of trust, appreciation, and respect. To address the diverse needs of learners at every stage, flexibility is crucial in terms of content, context, and processes. Creating an open, non-threatening, and nurturing environment facilitates joyful learning.
Empowering learners through inclusive and non-judgmental approaches is crucial. It is vital to enable them to navigate and adapt to evolving realities. Building on their experiences, we must provide opportunities for critical thinking, analysis, and informed decision-making. Establishing dedicated anti-sexual harassment cells is a critical step, alongside facilitating structured dialogue on student concerns. Fostering collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including parents, the community, and the media, helps address children’s needs and concerns effectively.
(The author is an educator from Mattan, Anantnag. Views are personal)
