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Karuna Narang Former Member, Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Featured Reflection on "Who Is Raising the Student?"

 Guest Reflection

One of the most powerful responses to the blog comes from Karuna Narang, former Member, Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee.

Drawing from her experience working with children in vulnerable situations, she reminds us that many of the challenges young people face are not academic in nature. They are often rooted in gaps in emotional support, safety, life-skills education, family engagement, and community connectedness.Her reflection leaves us with a question that deserves the attention of every parent, teacher, student, policymaker, and community leader:

"The question is not only 'Who is raising the student?' but also 'How are we collectively preparing children to navigate the realities of life with knowledge, confidence, protection, and hope?'"

I encourage readers of the blog to also read Karuna Narang's thoughtful comment and reflection. It adds an important child protection, wellbeing, and life-skills perspective to the broader discussion on education, belonging, and human development.

Read the blog and featured reflection here:
https://vidyaleadacademy.blogspot.com/2026/06/who-is-raising-student-why-education.html

Guest Reflection

Karuna Narang
Former Member, Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and Former Member, Child Welfare Committee (CWC)

Having served on both the Child Welfare Committee and the Juvenile Justice Board, I have had the opportunity to interact with children from diverse backgrounds and life circumstances. One of the most significant lessons from these experiences is that the challenges children face are rarely linked to academics alone.

Many children who come before these forums have experienced neglect, abuse, emotional deprivation, family conflict, social exclusion, or a lack of guidance and support from trusted adults, including parents. Their stories repeatedly remind us that education must extend beyond textbooks, examinations, and career preparation.

If we truly wish to prepare children for life, we must ensure that they are equipped with knowledge and skills that protect their wellbeing, dignity, and future. Every child should receive age-appropriate awareness on child sexual abuse prevention, personal safety, and healthy boundaries. Girls should have access to accurate information about menstruation so they can grow with confidence and without stigma. Children and adolescents should also be educated about the risks of substance use and drug abuse, which is becoming an increasing concern across communities and is a recurring issue in many cases that come before the Juvenile Justice Board.

The children we encounter in child protection and juvenile justice systems often highlight the consequences of gaps in awareness, emotional support, life-skills education, and community engagement. Their experiences remind us that schools, families, neighbours, communities, and institutions must work together to nurture not only informed students but also safe, resilient, responsible, and compassionate young people.

The question is not only "Who is raising the student?" but also "How are we collectively preparing children to navigate the realities of life with knowledge, confidence, protection, and hope?"

Thank you for initiating this important and much-needed conversation.

Your thoughts and experiences are most welcome.
#WhoIsRaisingTheStudent #Education #NEP2020 #ChildProtection #MentalHealth #LifeSkills #CommunityEngagement #NadaIndiaFoundation #VidyaLeadAcademy

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