In response to growing concerns about student safety and rising sexual harassment cases, School Management Committees (SMCs) have decided to revive the ‘Manavar Manasu’ complaint boxes across government schools. These boxes, first introduced in 2022 by the school education department, were initially intended to address infrastructure-related complaints, such as inadequate toilet facilities, lack of sports equipment, and insufficient library books.
However, teachers and school authorities now see these boxes as a critical tool for students to anonymously report serious safety concerns, including harassment and misconduct. Despite this initiative, many students remain unaware of its existence and purpose, raising concerns about its effectiveness.
A Class X student shared their hesitation:
“We didn’t know these boxes existed. And even if we did, if someone in school is making us uncomfortable, how can we complain to the school? We mostly share concerns with our friends.”
Lack of Awareness and Implementation Gaps in Schools
Although the state government sanctioned ₹1,000 per school to install these complaint boxes, many schools have yet to implement them, according to teachers. Even in schools where they are available, students hesitate to use them due to fear of retaliation or lack of trust in the complaint resolution process.
A primary school teacher from Medavakkam, Gomathi S, highlighted this issue:
“Students worry about being singled out if they raise complaints. This makes it difficult to create a safe environment.”
To address these concerns, SMCs plan to launch awareness campaigns to educate students on how to use the complaint boxes effectively.
Awareness Sessions to Encourage Student Participation
Recognizing the low awareness about these complaint boxes, SMCs are planning to conduct awareness sessions to ensure that students understand their rights and the mechanisms available to them.
SMC member Sangita Ashok from Chengalpet emphasized the importance of this initiative:
“We will visit schools to sensitize students about the different ways they can protect themselves. It’s crucial they understand how to use these boxes safely and confidently.”
Ensuring Transparency: New SOP for Handling Complaints
To improve accountability and address sensitive issues effectively, the school education department is working on a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for schools. This SOP will guide school authorities on how to handle complaints, particularly those related to sexual harassment and student safety.
Key elements of the SOP include:
- Opening complaint boxes in the presence of SMC members and parents to ensure transparency.
- Steps for investigating complaints while maintaining confidentiality.
- Involvement of child welfare committees in handling sensitive cases.
- Creating a safe environment for students to report issues without fear of retaliation.
The Director of Elementary Education, P Naresh, stated that the primary focus of this initiative is to build awareness and confidence among students.
“Our key focus is to create awareness. With more awareness, we want to ensure students feel confident to raise concerns.”
Expanding the Initiative: A Complaint Mechanism for Teachers
Apart from students, women teachers have also raised concerns about the absence of a platform to report their own grievances. Many teachers believe that an anonymous complaint system should also be set up for school staff, particularly for cases related to workplace harassment and misconduct.
Teachers emphasized that staff members, particularly female teachers, should have access to a similar mechanism to report their grievances without fear of professional consequences.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Student Protection Policies
The revival of the Manavar Manasu complaint boxes marks a crucial step in enhancing student safety and fostering a culture of accountability in government schools. However, the success of this initiative will depend on proper awareness, transparency, and action on reported grievances.
Key Measures to Strengthen the Initiative:
- Regular monitoring and reporting of complaint box usage by school authorities.
- Strict confidentiality protocols to protect students who report sensitive issues.
- Collaboration with child welfare and legal authorities to ensure proper redressal of serious complaints.
- Periodic awareness programs and sensitization campaigns for both students and staff.
As SMCs and education officials work towards reviving and improving the initiative, stakeholders—including parents, teachers, and child protection agencies—must collaborate to ensure that students feel safe and supported in their learning environments.
