Creating a safe, secure and supportive environment for every child is a shared responsibility.

At Oakridge International School Mohali, student well-being and safeguarding remain integral to our commitment to providing a nurturing learning environment. Recognising the importance of addressing parental concerns around child safety, the school organised a specialised POCSO awareness session conducted by an experienced resource person.

The session aimed to address important questions raised by parents regarding child protection, personal safety, appropriate boundaries and the measures schools can adopt to safeguard students.

Understanding POCSO and Its Importance

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, is an important legislation in India designed to protect children below the age of 18 from sexual offences. The session helped strengthen awareness about the provisions of the Act, the importance of recognising inappropriate behaviour and the responsibility of adults in ensuring children’s safety.

It also highlighted why creating awareness about personal boundaries, safe and unsafe situations, and the importance of speaking up is essential from an early age.

Addressing Parents’ Key Concerns About Child Safety

A major focus of the interaction was addressing questions that parents commonly have about their child’s safety within the school environment.

Some important areas discussed included:

• How does a school ensure child safety? Through clear safeguarding practices, appropriate supervision, awareness initiatives and a shared commitment among staff members to maintaining a safe learning environment.

• How can children be taught about personal boundaries? By encouraging age-appropriate conversations about personal space, appropriate and inappropriate behaviour, and the importance of expressing discomfort without hesitation.

• What should a child do if something makes them uncomfortable? Children should be encouraged to communicate openly with trusted adults, knowing that their concerns will be heard and taken seriously.

• How are concerns or disclosures addressed? Through sensitive, responsible and appropriate reporting and response procedures, keeping the child’s safety and well-being at the forefront.

• What role do parents play in safeguarding? Open communication at home, active listening and building trust help children feel confident about sharing their experiences and concerns.

A Shared Responsibility: School, Parents and Children

Child safeguarding cannot be achieved through isolated efforts. It requires a collaborative approach involving educators, parents, students and the wider community.

At Oakridge International School Mohali, we recognise that safeguarding goes beyond establishing rules and guidelines. It is about cultivating an environment where every child feels respected, heard, protected and empowered to seek help whenever needed.

The session also reinforced the importance of maintaining awareness, encouraging transparent communication and ensuring that child protection remains an ongoing priority rather than a one-time initiative.

Building Trust Through Awareness and Action

The POCSO awareness session was an important step towards addressing parental questions and strengthening the collective understanding of child safety and safeguarding responsibilities.

At Oakridge International School Mohali, we believe that every child deserves an environment where learning is accompanied by a sense of security, dignity and belonging. By continuing conversations around child protection and working closely with parents, we remain committed to nurturing a school culture where children’s safety and well-being always come first.

Because safeguarding every child is not just a responsibility; it is a commitment we share.