Tamil Nadu to set up anti-drug clubs, helpline, app for school students
The School Education Department of Tamil Nadu is working on a set of measures to address drug abuse among students. These include establishing anti-drug clubs in schools, a dedicated helpline, and a mobile application for teachers. The initiatives were announced as part of the state Budget presented by Finance Minister Marie Wilson on Wednesday.
School Education Secretary B. Chandra Mohan said that emotional well-being is a prerequisite for leading good lives and is already being addressed in the curriculum. "We will also look to strengthen this through these initiatives. This is a comprehensive approach to address the problems," he said.
As part of the plan, life skills will be introduced to children, and awareness sessions will be held on the impact of drugs, the consequences of abuse, and ways to resist peer pressure and urges. Teachers will be trained to identify students who may be emotionally or socially vulnerable, an official from the department said.
In each school, a teacher will be designated as the nodal officer to oversee the functioning of the anti-drug club. These clubs are expected to serve as a forum for students to discuss issues related to substance abuse in a safe and supportive environment. The nodal officer will coordinate activities, such as awareness programmes and interactive sessions, and ensure that the club functions effectively. The department envisions these clubs as a way to create a peer support network within schools.
The department will also launch a helpline, 10581, to offer confidential counselling to students. A system will be put in place to map the helpline's functioning and assess its reach and effectiveness. "The service is open to all students in Tamil Nadu, and private schools will also be advised to use the services," the Secretary added.
A mobile app called Drug-Free T.N. will be developed for teachers to report any instance of drug use on campus. The app will allow teachers to report incidents discreetly, enabling the school administration to take timely action. It is expected to include features such as anonymous reporting and a dashboard for schools to track cases. The department is currently working on the requirements for the app and preparing proposals in this regard.
Training teachers to recognise signs of emotional or social vulnerability is a key component of the initiative. This aims at early identification of students who may be at risk, enabling timely support and intervention. Teachers will be equipped with guidelines on how to approach such students and involve their parents or guardians. Efforts will also be made to channel students' energy into constructive activities such as sports.
In a separate initiative, the Finance Minister announced the implementation of the Super Clean Super Campus scheme in 10,000 schools in the first phase. This addresses the long-pending demand of teachers for the appointment of cleaning and security staff. A total of ₹139 crore has been allocated for the scheme, which will provide upgraded water and toilet facilities and round-the-clock security. The scheme is intended to ensure that schools provide a hygienic and safe learning environment for students.
Speaking about the scheme, the Secretary said the idea is to professionalise cleaning services in schools. The department is working out the operational aspects, and orders will be issued soon. "The schools under the initiative will be chosen based on campus size and student strength," he added.
These steps reflect the government's comprehensive approach to creating a safe and supportive environment in schools, addressing both emotional well-being and physical infrastructure. The initiatives are part of a broader effort to ensure that students receive not only academic education but also the support needed for their overall development.
