T.N. School Education department introduces Agal Vilakku scheme to teach safe internet practices for girl students

In an effort to ensure the safety of girl children in the online world, the Tamil Nadu school education department has introduced the Agal Vilakku scheme for girl students of Classes 9-12. The scheme aims to empower the students with tools to protect them from mental, physical, and social challenges, with a strong focus on cyber safety.

In this regard, the department has launched awareness booklets. Under the initiative, committees of teachers and students will identify problems faced by girl students and suggest solutions. “Sessions will also be conducted by teachers trained in career guidance through the District Institute of Education and Training, and these teachers will also be given additional training to raise awareness of safe internet use. Counselling to students will also be provided,” said an official from the School Education Department.

Earlier this year, the scheme was announced by the School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi in the Legislative Assembly as part of the Demand for Grants under the department.

The 30-page booklet outlines 10 rules for students to follow for safe internet use. These include blocking people who continue to harass, reporting cyberbullying, filing a complaint about cybercrimes, limiting daily mobile and internet usage, and changing settings to prohibit screenshots, among others.