The cells will start functioning from the next academic session.

This was announced by A K Tyagi, Member Secretary of the Haryana Legal Service Authority, in a meeting with authority officials, panel advocates and Education Department officials today. He added that the expenditure of the cells will be borne by the respective district administration.

The Haryana Government is observing 2008 as Education Year.

Students will be made aware of matters connected with domestic violence, female foeticide, dowry, fundamental rights, human rights, rights of the physically challenged, drug addiction and hygiene.

Tyagi said the authority will provide books, booklets and pamphlets to the cells at least once a month to educate the students.

Legal experts will also visit the cell at least once a month. The principal of the school concerned will be the chairman of the cell and a senior lecturer would be the member secretary. Two boys and two girls of Class XII, members of the Parents Teacher Association, the sarpanch or municipal councillor, one male teacher, one female teacher, retired or working advocate will be the members of the cell.

Tyagi said the cell should meet once a month in the school and regularly collect the legal literacy material from the district hospital, SMO office and district counts.

He added that debates, quiz contests, declamation contests and painting competitions will also be organised to popularise the awareness programme.