Child Protection Policy

1. Policy Overview & Framework

1.1 Policy Summary

Item	Details
Objective	To ensure all children and young people participating in our educational, health, and social welfare programs grow, mature, and learn in a safe, nurturing, and secure environment free from any form of abuse or exploitation.
In-Scope	This policy applies to all students, teaching and non-teaching staff, management committee members, field coordinators, vocational trainers, and domestic/international volunteers associated with Raja Education & Bahuuddeshiya Society.
Jurisdiction	All institutional sites, including Shakil Ahmad Urdu High School, Primary School, Junior College, Skill Centers, and all community-based field project locations across Vidarbha.

1.2 Document Control

Policy Code: REBS-CPP-2026-V1
Effective Date: May 18, 2026
Review Cycle: Annual

2. Purposes & Core Aims

2.1 Purpose

The fundamental purpose of Raja Education & Bahuuddeshiya Society’s children and youth initiatives is to offer a completely free, safe, welcoming, and high-quality educational environment. Whether within our formal schools or through our independent community outreach programs, the safety and emotional well-being of the child remains our paramount operational priority.

2.2 Core Aims

To support the holistic development of rural youth from childhood into responsible, skilled adulthood.
To cultivate a fear-free ecosystem where children can express themselves freely and build the moral compass required to break the cycle of poverty.
To proactively champion girl-child education by removing financial barriers, social stigmas, and safety concerns.
To equip children with life skills, career counseling, and vocational awareness to ensure healthy community integration.

3. Operational Safeguards & Documentation

3.1 Registration and Privacy

Formal Enrollment: Every student and young person participating in institutional programs must be formally registered with the society.
Parental Consent: Key personal history, educational backgrounds, medical notes, and emergency contact numbers are gathered exclusively with documented parental or guardian consent.
Data Security: All physical and digital enrollment records are maintained securely under lock and key/encrypted storage accessible only to authorized personnel.
Attendance Tracking: A mandatory attendance register is compiled for every single classroom session, coaching period, and field initiative.

3.2 Field Activities & Outings

For any program extending beyond two hours outside regular institutional grounds, or for any off-site welfare drive (e.g., environmental plantations, health camps):

Written permission and consent must be secured in advance from the parent or guardian.
Direct contact details of the supervising authority on-site must be provided to the parents.
A strict supervisor-to-student ratio must be maintained, ensuring adequate adult support staff accompanies the cohort at all times.

4. Personnel & Personal Safety Mandates

Supervision: A group of children or young people under the age of 16 must never be left unattended under any circumstances.
One-on-One Protocol: Personnel must avoid being isolated or alone with an individual child out of sight of others. If a one-on-one situation becomes necessary (e.g., providing medical first aid or comforting a distressed student), another worker or teacher must be explicitly informed of the location and reason immediately.
External Interventions: No volunteer, external guest speaker, or representative from partnering agencies may arrange to meet a student or youth outside the structured hours of scheduled activities without prior written clearance from the Management Committee.
Peer Assistants: Any student or teenage assistant helping with school events must work under the permanent, direct supervision of a senior staff member.

5. Environment & Infrastructure Safety

5.1 Premises Management

Before launching any educational or recreational activity, the space must be verified as fit-for-purpose. Staff must actively identify and eliminate physical hazards, sharp edges, or unsafe fixtures that could cause accidental injury.

5.2 Emergency Preparedness

All educators, workers, and project volunteers must be fully trained on:

The exact location and contents of the primary First Aid Kits.
The designated standard operational procedure for recording injuries or accidents in the institutional Incident Book.
The primary emergency contact numbers for local healthcare centers in Pimpalgaon Raja and Buldhana.

5.3 Safe Transportation

Children are never permitted to leave the school premises with unverified adults unless explicit, direct instructions are received from the registered parents/guardians.
If private vehicles are deployed for trips or camp movements, the driver must be approved by management and hold a clean, valid commercial or private driving license.
Every transport vehicle carrying students must contain at least one additional responsible adult (aged 18 or above) acting as an internal monitor.

6. Recruitment & Human Resource Screening

Raja Education & Bahuuddeshiya Society follows a strict screening procedure for all incoming staff and volunteers to keep our campuses safe:

Comprehensive Application: Submission of detailed professional histories with full disclosures of any employment gaps.
Panel Interview: A structured evaluation conducted by a minimum of three designated members of the institutional committee.
Identity Verification: Documented validation of identity via government-issued records (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Passport).
Reference Verification: Direct verification with at least two professional or academic references prior to onboarding.
Criminal Background Check: Mandatory submission of a local Police Verification Certificate (PVC).
Probationary Window: All newly appointed paid staff and volunteers operate under a strict three-month probationary period accompanied by regular performance supervision.

7. Identifying and Responding to Abuse (POCSO Compliance)

7.1 Understanding Child Protection

Child protection is our active response to defending a child's physical, emotional, and psychological health against harm, abuse, or negligence by any external actor.

7.2 The Mandatory "DO" Protocol for Staff

If a child or young person discloses an issue of harassment, abuse, or safety concern:

Listen Actively: Give them your undivided attention.
Do Not Promise Secrecy: Do not promise complete secrecy before knowing the context. Inform the child gently that you must share this information with a dedicated officer to help keep them safe.
Validate Feelings: Take every word seriously. Reassure them with phrases such as: “What you are telling me is very important,” “This is not your fault,” and “You did the right thing by telling me.”
Document Precisely: Take objective, factual notes immediately after the conversation. Record exactly what the child said without adding personal assumptions, biases, or speculative language.
Report Immediately: Pass the information directly to the named Child Protection Officer within the day.

7.3 The Mandatory "DON'T" Protocol for Staff

Do Not Investigate: Project workers, teachers, and volunteers must never conduct independent investigations or cross-examine the child. Doing so can contaminate legal evidence.
Do Not Query via Leading Questions: Avoid demanding interrogatives such as "Why did you go there?" or "How did you let this happen?"
Do Not Emotionalize: Keep your own expressions of shock, disbelief, or anger managed to prevent overwhelming the child.
Do Not Delay: Never form a personal opinion and decide to do nothing. All incidents must enter the formal tracking matrix.

8. Escalation & Intervention Matrix

If a child safety or harassment issue is identified across any operational wing of Raja Education & Bahuuddeshiya Society, the matter must step through the following formal framework without delay:

[Level 1: Internal Protection Officer] ──> [Level 2: Institutional Committee] ──> [Level 3: Statutory Legal Authorities]

Level 1: Immediate Internal Escalation

Designated Authority: Child Protection Officer (CPO)
Responsibility: Immediate intake of documentation, securing the safety of the student on-site, and notifying management.
Contact Protocol: Refer to the primary institutional notice boards for the active mobile number of this year's appointed officer.

Level 2: Management Review Committee

Designated Authority: Executive Management Committee / Head Office
Address: Shakil Ahmad Urdu High School, Malvipura, Pimpalgaon Raja, District Buldhana, Maharashtra State, India.
Official Communications Email: urdupraja@gmail.com
Primary Contact Numbers: +91 94054 57145 | +91 70207 34483

Level 3: Statutory Legal Intervention

If the internal intake highlights a verifiable offense under the POCSO Act, 2012:

The society will directly escalate the matter to the local Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Buldhana District, or local law enforcement authorities.
Staff may additionally connect directly with the Government of India’s national emergency support link: Childline by dialing 1098.

This policy statement is open for periodic community reviews and stands as an public extension of our core mission to nurture and protect the dreams of underprivileged children across rural Vidarbha.

+91 94054 57145

urdupraja@gmail.com

Pimpalgaon Raja, Dist. Buldhana, M.S., India

Raja Education & Bahuuddeshiya Society