By Our Reporter
Shillong: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has rued the fact that around 40 per cent of the primary schools in the State do not have access to basic facilities.
Addressing a press conference here in the city on Tuesday, NCPCR member Dr Yogesh Dube said that many of the primary schools in the State do not have access to toilet and water facilities, which indicate that the Right to Education (RTE) norms are not being followed in the State.
The NCPCR delegation has asked the State Government to draw up plans to ensure that the children do not suffer due to the failure of the administration.
According to Dube, there are as many as nine thousand children in the State with special needs and only around 40 educators for them.
He was also of the view that the State Government should make provisions for opening more tribal schools and Balika Vidyalayas, meant exclusively for girls from deprived background, in the State.
The NCPCR also urged the State Government to take benefit of the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls, SABLA, which intends to empower adolescent girls.
The NCPCR also said that the free helpline service 1098 is not operating in many districts of the State including Jaintia Hills as service providers are not extending the facility.
“The State Government must provide a local helpline since 1098 is not in operation in Jaintia Hills,” Dube said.