While the department claims to have worked extensively on Moral Education Week that was started a few months ago, it seems to be functioning on the same lines on these projects too.

Talking to Newsline, Samwartak Singh, Director Public Instructions (Schools), said: “These are very topical matters and the students need to be sensitised about them. Drug addiction is a growing menace among the youth which needs timely intervention. The department is organising lectures to alert students about its ill effects.”

Keeping in view the declining sex ratio in the region, authorities have also taken up the issue of female foeticide in a big way. “It is a collaborative effort alongwith the Department of Social Welfare. We will hold seminars and awareness camps in schools regarding the adverse effects of terminating a foetus,” Singh added.

Special emphasis will be laid on sensitising boys on respecting the opposite sex and teaching girls to stand for their rights if they encounter such a situation in future.

The department has also roped in different NGOs to address the problem of AIDS and sex education.

The schools have received instructions from the department to give lessons on sex education and counsel students if they encounter any problem.