Jaipur: School children in Rajasthan will be able to file a complaint against corporal punishment or discrimination by their schools. The state government is planning to launch a helpline service for the purpose, an official said on Friday.

The education department, in a written direction, has also asked district education officers (DEO) to ensure deployment of a child rights supervisor at each school - private and government-run. The children will be able to approach the supervisor if their rights are violated.

"It is a unique initiative and we took the decision after we received regular complaints regarding physical punishment to children and other violations of their rights," a senior education department official told the sources.

He added that children will be able to call up the helpline number and register their complaint if they are discriminated on the basis of caste, meted out corporal punishment or mental harassment by a teacher or if deprived of scholarships when they are eligible.

"To make sure that each child knows about the toll-free helpline service and their rights, a child rights supervisor will be deputed in every school. The supervisor will be one of the school teachers. He will have to conduct special sessions every week to apprise the children of their rights and inform them about the helpline number," said the officer.

He added that each complaint will be assessed on priority basis and after thorough investigation action will be taken against the teachers or school staff who violate child rights.

The decision has been welcomed by child rights activists and the parents.

"Physical and metal harassment of children at school is a common practice in Rajasthan.

Not only in urban areas, but in rural areas too, teachers usually give corporal punishment to children on flimsiest grounds, like for not doing homework. Parents even had to lodge police cases against teachers in the recent past when their children were badly thrashed," said Ashima Singh, parent of a 10-year-old girl.

"If implemented properly then the step would go a long way in protecting child rights," said Rakesh Bhardawaj, a child rights activist. IANS