A Class V student faces discrimination at home against her elder brother
A Class VIII student is laughed at and taunted by friends for being a poor communicator and an introvert
Both the students of I.P. Memorial School, Liluah, had turned to their institute’s in-house justice cell for help. Headed by a group of Class XI students, the cell at the Liluah school seeks to make students’ lives easier both in school and on their home front.
Started in April 2022, the cell’s members have tried to solve many problems related to bullying and abuse for the past year.
“In most cases, we counsel the students and give them tips on how to handle a difficult situation. Many students prefer anonymity. But if they do name the bullies in school, we directly intervene and talk to the students concerned. Bullies usually stop when they know they are being watched by senior students,” said Arohi Suryavanshi of Class XI, an active member of the justice cell.
Arohi and her classmates have also conducted anti-bullying campaigns throughout last year to sensitise students. The members decided to keep “She Boxes” on every floor for children to drop in the complain chits. The She Boxes turned out to be a huge success.
“The She Boxes are kept on all four floors of our school. Initially, it targeted the girl students. They could drop chits, complaining of bullying, abuse, harassment, and we would try to get the issue sorted. The box also gave them anonymity, if they so desired. Now, even boys drop in grievance chits,” said Sanmukha Rao, another member.
Members of the justice cell educate students against bullying and its harmful effects
The complaints range from harassment inside washrooms to dirty toilets and leaking taps. “We have actually solved quite a few, including arranging for a plumber,” chipped in Sanmukha.
His classmate and co-worker at the justice cell, Khushi Gupta, feels strongly for the cause. “Every child has been teased, taunted or bullied in some way. I myself have been body-shamed. Many don’t know how to handle the situation. We feel students open up more to those near their age,” she said. The members meet and plan new campaigns after school hours.
At the start of the new session, this April the justice cell members are busy recruiting more members for their initiatives, counselling new students against bullying and preparing for a year-long anti-narcotics campaign.
“Post-summer vacation, we plan to sensitise students above Class V against tobacco and drug use. They need to be aware of its harmful effects,” said Khushi.
Principal Mandira Singh said it was necessary for children to speak out their traumas and issues and not keep them bottled up. “The trauma caused by bullying either at home or in school is exacerbated by silence. We hope the children find their justice cell ‘buddies’ as safe harbours in a storm,” she said.
While students of many schools in the city have conducted independent social awareness campaigns, South City International is one of the few institutions that also has a justice cell run by the students, aided by the International Justice Mission. Their’s was inaugurated in 2019.
“More and more students should come forward to start justice cells in their schools. Students need to be aware of the pitfalls of their society and come up with solutions. Our students were also part of anti-trafficking campaigns,” said its founder-principal John Bagul.
Last updated on 11 May 2023
