WHAT IS POCSO?

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act – 2012) was enacted to protect children from sexual abuse, harassment, and exploitation. The Act also ensures a child-friendly system for the trial of these offences.

POCSO COMMITTEE AT MOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

To safeguard the interests of students, Mount International School has established a POCSO Committee under the provisions of the POCSO Act (2012).

Objectives of the Committee:

1. Safeguard students from challenges they face during their formative years.
2. Create awareness about sexual exploitation, rights, and responsibilities among learners through age-appropriate initiatives.
3. Train faculty and staff to recognize and report cases of abuse or neglect.

Key Activities of the Committee:

• Conduct awareness campaigns, special school assemblies, and self-defence sessions.
• Use age-appropriate videos and materials to educate students about safety and exploitation.
• Organize workshops on gender sensitization, adolescent education programs (AEP), and abuse prevention.
• Include modules on gender equality and sensitivity in teacher induction programs.
• Conduct health and sanitation sessions for girls.
• Organize karate/self-defence training for students.
• Provide a counselling calendar and maintain a drop box for anonymous complaints outside the Psychology Room and School Reception.
• Install CCTV cameras in all prominent areas for safety and surveillance.
• Elect 15 student representatives (Senior Wing) as a peer support group to act as peer complaint mediators, participate in workshops and action plans with teachers and create peer facilitators within their grades to track and report concerns.

School Policies on POCSO Compliance:

• All staff members are trained to report instances of abuse as mandated by Sections 19(I) and 21 of the POCSO Act.
• Conduct programs to promote gender sensitivity and equality.
• Complaints can also be registered online via principalmis.ludhiana@gmail.com.
• Disciplinary measures are taken based on the nature and severity of any violation.

Below is the list of members of the POCSO Committee:

Sr. No.	Name	Official Position	Designation
1	Mrs. Daljit Kaur Bhangoo	Principal	Presiding
2	Ms. Navdeep Tayal	Headmistress	Member
3	Mrs. Gurinder Kaur	Medical Officer	Member
4	Ms. Vasudha Gulati	PGT Psychology	Member Secretary
5	Ms. Nina Jain	PGT Biology	Member
6	Mrs. Kulwinder Kaur	Admin Officer	Member
7	Mrs. Manpreet Kaur	PGT Physical Education	Member
8	Mr. Rajnish Gaur	PTI	Member
9	Mr. Gurvir Singh (XII)	Head Boy	Student Member
10	Ms. Kritika Singla (XII)	Head Girl	Student Member