Many schools hold fundraising events where they sell raffle tickets. However, there are parents who have opposed this practice because they see it as similar to gambling and have voiced their concerns about their children participating in selling raffle tickets.
Now, in a significant move, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, committed to the welfare and rights of children, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, recommended a crucial directive to the Goa Directorate of Education prohibiting the engagement of children in selling raffles and lotteries for school fundraising activities.
This significant decision has been made in response to multiple complaints from worried parents and educators, who have emphasised the manipulative tactics employed in these activities. Children are often forced to participate in selling raffles and lotteries, often with specific sales goals.
Such activities not only subject children to undue pressure and humiliation when they fail to meet these targets but also expose them to significant risks and vulnerabilities, including the misuse of proceeds for inappropriate purposes, the Goa SCPCR asserted.
"The practice of engaging children in commercial activities such as the selling of raffles and lotteries for school fundraising contradicts the very essence of our commitment to their rights, dignity, and well-being. It is imperative that we cease these activities immediately, ensuring our children's environment is one of learning, safety, and growth, free from undue pressure and exploitation,” said Peter F Borges, Chairperson, Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
The Goa Directorate of Education is directed to immediately halt the practice across all educational institutions under its jurisdiction and to take comprehensive measures to enforce this prohibition effectively.
This directive is not only a legal mandate but also a moral imperative to protect the innocence and rights of children, Goa SCPCR noted.
The Commission said it remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the protection and promotion of the rights of every child within the state's jurisdiction. This directive is a testament to the Commission's dedication to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all children, it stated.
An action taken report on this matter is expected from the Directorate of Education within 15 days, reaffirming the urgency and importance of this directive.