The Tamil Nadu government is considering the introduction of peer counselling programmes in schools in an effort to promote gender sensitivity and encourage a sense of equality among boys and girls. The proposal comes in the wake of growing concern over a recent spate of cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The proposal was discussed during a meeting chaired by senior government officials and is yet to receive final approval. If implemented, the initiative would seek to create safe spaces where students can openly discuss age-related and sensitive issues with their peers.

Programme Aims to Encourage Open Discussions

Under the proposed framework, students would engage in discussions on issues such as good touch and bad touch, adolescence-related concerns and the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty.

Officials believe that adolescents are often more receptive to conversations with peers than with adults and that such interactions can help create a more comfortable environment for addressing sensitive subjects.

According to officials familiar with the discussions, the programme is intended to enable students to better understand boundaries and develop awareness about inappropriate behaviour through age-appropriate conversations.

Students to Be Trained as Peer Counsellors

The government is considering identifying students with strong communication skills and providing them with training to guide their classmates on various issues affecting adolescents.

The programme is proposed to be implemented with the support of school headmasters, who would oversee the functioning of adolescent-friendly classrooms and counselling sessions.

Authorities are planning to conduct these sessions during regular school hours rather than treating them as extracurricular activities, with the aim of integrating awareness-building into everyday learning.

Growing Concern Over Crimes Against Children

The move comes amid heightened concern over crimes against women and children in Tamil Nadu following a series of disturbing incidents reported in recent weeks.

In one such case, a 10-year-old girl was allegedly abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered by two daily-wage labourers in Coimbatore district. The child had gone missing on May 21 while playing near her home, and her body was later recovered from a local water tank.

The incident sparked criticism from opposition parties, which alleged that 19 POCSO cases had been reported during the first 15 days of the new administration.

Another Incident Triggers Political Reactions

In another case, a three-year-old girl from a migrant labourer’s family in Gummidipoondi died after she was allegedly lured to a secluded area by a neighbour and sexually assaulted. The incident occurred on June 14, and the child succumbed to her injuries the following day.

Following the incident, the BJP accused the state government of failing to curb crimes against minors and claimed there had been a sharp increase in such offences over the previous 48 hours.

The cases have intensified scrutiny of the state’s law-and-order situation and placed pressure on the government to strengthen measures aimed at protecting women and children.

Chief Minister Vijay Directs Zero-Tolerance Approach

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has instructed officials to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards sexual offences involving children and women. During a joint meeting with the Home Department, he directed authorities to expedite investigations and ensure chargesheets are filed without delay.

The Chief Minister also called for stronger prosecution mechanisms and ordered the appointment of special public prosecutors to handle sexual assault cases and ensure effective representation for victims.

In the Sulur sexual assault-cum-murder case, senior advocate KR Sankaran has already been appointed as a special public prosecutor to represent the victim’s side.

First Major Test for the New Government

Vijay has directed police officials to conduct thorough and time-bound investigations and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring stringent punishment for those responsible for crimes against women and children.

The issue has emerged as the first major governance challenge for the TVK government, which came to power after securing a decisive victory in its maiden Assembly election.

With public attention focused on law and order, the administration is under increasing pressure to fulfil its promises and ensure the safety of women, children and other vulnerable sections of society.