CCPCR organizes a Sensitization Program for Principals, Vice Principals and Coordinators of all Chandigarh Schools on Strengthening the School Bag Policy-2020

By 121 News

Chandigarh, Aug.11, 2026:-The Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) organized a sensitization program for Principals, Vice Principals and Coordinators of all schools of Chandigarh on Strengthening the School Bag Policy-2020, National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 and Menstrual Hygiene at Chandigarh Judicial Academy, Sector-43, Chandigarh. The program was graced by Ms. Palika Arora, PCS, Director Higher Education, Chandigarh Administration as Guest of Honour and Naveen, DANICS, Director Social Welfare and Women & Child Development Deptt., Chandigarh Administration as Special Guest. This is a unique and proactive initiative taken by the CCPCR.

While welcoming all, Shipra Bansal, Chairperson, CCPCR, expressed her gratitude to the Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab & Administrator, U T. Chandigarh and Guest of Honour, Special Guest and all the Administration for their continued support and cooperation towards making Chandigarh-A Child Friendly City. In her keynote address, she emphasized that child protection is not limited to addressing violations but also involves creating systems that prevent harm, promote well-being and enable every child to thrive. She highlighted the importance of an ecosystem involving parents, teachers, school leaders, healthcare professionals, administrators and the community in ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for children. She further added that stated that NEP-2020 reflects India’s vision of building an education system aligned with Viksit Bharat@2047, while the School Bag Policy-2020 seeks to reduce academic and physical stress and promote joyful, child-centred learning. She also highlighted the importance of menstrual hygiene and its linkage with initiatives such as the School Health and Wellness Programme under Ayushman Bharat, Menstrual Hygiene Scheme, Poshan Abhiyaan, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and WASH in Schools. She emphasized that education and health are inseparable and that every child deserves to learn with dignity. In her way forward, she urged all the participants to disseminate the concerned Poster on School Bag Policy in their schools, official Social Media Platforms,etc and work with a collaborative approach to ensure the strengthening of the policies/Acts pertaining to holistic well-being of children. Also she requested all participants to share their feedback/ suggestions to the Commission regarding the topics discussed in the workshop

The first technical session was conducted by Prof. R.R. Koireng, DCS&D, NCERT, New Delhi, who sensitized participants about the School Bag Policy-2020, including the provision that a student's school bag should not weigh more than 10% of the student's body weight.

The second session was conducted by Dr. Lakshmi Singh, SPO, RBSK/RKSK, Health Department, Chandigarh Administration, on Menstrual Hygiene, with reference to the Hon’ble Supreme Court judgment dated 30.01.2026 in Dr. Jaya Thakur vs. Government of India & Ors. The session emphasized the need for supportive, dignified and stigma-free school environments.

The third session on NEP-2020 was delivered by Monica Chawla, Principal, St. Joseph School, Sector-44, Chandigarh, designated as Resource Person by CBSE. The session covered competency-based education, experiential learning, multidisciplinary thinking, flexibility, innovation and 21st-century skills.

An Open House Discussion provided school leaders an opportunity to raise practical concerns and seek expert guidance. The panel included Dr. Sapna Malhotra, Senior Medical Officer In-charge, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, GMSH-16, Chandigarh; Ms. Renu Sharma, Deputy DEO-II; Ms. Sangeeta Chhabra, Principal, GMSSS-32, Chandigarh; and Dr. Dharmender, Headmaster, GMHS-Karsan, Chandigarh, along with the concerned resource persons.

The discussion was moderated by Kartar Singh, Empanelled Consultant, CCPCR and Ravinder Nath, Empanelled Consultant, CCPCR.

In her presidential remarks, the Guest of Honour congratulated CCPCR for organizing the program and highlighted the interconnectedness of NEP-2020, School Bag Policy-2020 and Menstrual Hygiene as essential components of child-centric education. She emphasized the need to reduce the physical burden of heavy school bags, promote menstrual hygiene awareness and create child-friendly schools where children feel emotionally secure, physically safe and psychologically supported. Referring to challenges such as academic pressure, anxiety, cyberbullying, social media influence, peer pressure and mental health concerns, she called upon schools to strengthen counselling, encourage open communication, maintain interaction with parents and establish effective grievance mechanisms. She further emphasized that child protection cannot be achieved through policies alone but requires a culture of care, and urged every Principal, Head of School and teacher to become a champion of children’s rights. Around 350 Principals, Vice Principals and Coordinators, Member of the Child Welfare Committee, U.T. Chandigarh, School Bus Tpt. Union participated enthusiastically in the technical sessions and Open House Discussion. An Informative Poster on the NCERT School Bag Policy-2020 was also launched on the occasion.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Rajneesh Kumar, Member, CCPCR.