Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The National Policy for Children (NCP), 2013, is a comprehensive framework outlining India’s vision for children. It recognizes children as supreme national assets and emphasizes their rights, survival, development, and participation. Rooted in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 1989, and the Indian Constitution, the NCP aims to provide a holistic and integrated approach to child welfare. The policy gained prominence amidst concerns regarding child malnutrition, education gaps, and increasing instances of child labour and abuse, necessitating a renewed focus on child-centric governance.
Key Provisions of the National Child Policy (2013)
The NCP is built upon several core principles and covers a wide range of areas. It adopts a life-cycle approach, addressing needs from pre-natal care to adolescence.
1. Health and Nutrition
- Universal Immunization Program (UIP): Strengthening and expanding coverage to reduce child mortality.
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Improving the quality and reach of ICDS services, focusing on supplementary nutrition, pre-school education, and health check-ups.
- National Nutrition Mission (Poshan Abhiyaan): Launched in 2018, aiming to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
2. Education
- Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009: Ensuring free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years.
- Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE): Expanding access to quality ECCE programs, recognizing the critical importance of early childhood development.
- Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Continued focus on universal access and quality improvement in elementary education.
3. Protection
- Child Protection Services (CPS): Strengthening CPS to prevent and respond to child abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: Reforms to the juvenile justice system, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration of children in conflict with the law and those in need of care and protection.
- Combating Child Labour: Strict enforcement of laws prohibiting child labour and providing rehabilitation to rescued children.
4. Participation
- Child Participation: Encouraging children’s participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
- Bal Sansads: Promoting the formation of children’s parliaments at the village and district levels.
Status of Implementation
While the NCP provides a robust framework, its implementation has been uneven. Several challenges hinder its effective realization.
- Budgetary Constraints: Insufficient allocation of funds for child welfare programs remains a major obstacle. According to the Budget 2023-24, allocation for the Ministry of Women and Child Development was increased, but still falls short of the required investment.
- Implementation Gaps: Weak coordination between different government departments and agencies hampers effective implementation.
- Awareness Deficiencies: Lack of awareness among communities about child rights and entitlements limits access to services.
- Data Gaps: Limited availability of reliable data on child welfare indicators makes it difficult to monitor progress and identify areas needing attention.
- Social Norms: Deep-rooted social norms, such as gender discrimination and child marriage, continue to undermine child welfare efforts.
Despite these challenges, some progress has been made. The RTE Act has significantly increased school enrollment rates. The Poshan Abhiyaan has shown positive results in reducing stunting among children in some districts. However, significant disparities persist across states and socio-economic groups.
| Indicator | 2015-16 (NFHS-4) | 2019-21 (NFHS-5) |
|---|---|---|
| Stunting (Children under 5) | 38.4% | 31.7% |
| Underweight (Children under 5) | 35.8% | 32.1% |
Conclusion
The National Child Policy represents a significant commitment to the well-being of India’s children. While progress has been made in several areas, significant challenges remain in ensuring its effective implementation. Increased budgetary allocation, improved coordination, enhanced awareness, and robust monitoring mechanisms are crucial for realizing the NCP’s vision. A multi-sectoral approach, involving government, civil society, and communities, is essential to create a child-friendly India where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.