Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

A bold experiment in human rights education

By S. Annamalai

MADURAI JULY 11 .The State has launced a pioneering initiative in taking human rights education (HRE) to the most deserving section of students. A pilot scheme, which envisages incorporation of HRE into the curriculum at the level of standard VI, became operational in 280 schools run by the Department of Adi Dravidar Welfare this year.

The initiative, is being implemented by the Madurai-based Institute of Human Rights Education (IHRE), in high, higher secondary and tribal residential schools run by the Department of Adi Dravidar Welfare.

The State Government cleared the scheme for one year on an experimental basis. The IHRE has brought out a textbook of Human Rights Education, conforming to the needs of children studying in these schools.

The textbook contains lessons on human aspirations, pluralistic society, humanism, equality, human rights and democracy etc.

Teachers have already been trained to handle the HRE classes.

According to Henri Tiphagne, Director, IHRE, the response from the teachers has been tremendous.

He said this was the first time HRE was being implemented on a mass scale in the country and the credit should go to the State Government.

''This bold experiment of the Government is bound to attract the attention of the National Human Rights Commission,'' he said. It would also inspire other States to implement HRE in their schools.

The IHRE approached the Education Department to permit introduction of HRE in Dharmapuri, Cuddalore and Tiruvarur districts and the Tirunelveli, Madurai and Coimbatore corporation areas.

The present scheme in the Adi Dravidar schools is likely to go up to the level of standard VIII.

Meanwhile, the IHRE has constituted a core group comprising eminent educationists to oversee the implementation of HRE in schools.

The group, comprising V. Vasanthi Devi, Chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women Pankajam; Vice-Chancellor, Gandhigram Rural Institute; S. Lakshmi, Jaya Kothai Pillai and N. Markandan, former Vice-Chancellors, will visit the schools and provide a feedback to the Government.

Since 1997, IHRE has been implementing human rights education in 369 schools in 29 districts, covering 45091 students, says E. Devasahayam, in charge of the programme.

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