The decision was taken at a conference held in Delhi on March 20.Madhuri Gokhale, principal, Air Force School said, "It is a very good move to introduce human rights as a subject as students need to be aware of their rights. At the same time, they should also be using their rights to constructive use. Only providing information and making the students study is not enough. Students should be able to use the information effectively."

The CBSE has prepared a blueprint of the draft syllabus for Human rights and gender studies'. It will be implemented next year as an elective courses in classes XI and XII. The proposed subject will include issues like violence, identity, rights with regards to parents, use of language, culture and religion.

Milind Naik, principal, Jnana Prabodhini Prashala, said, "It's a good move. Along with teaching human rights, it is equally important to teach the responsibilities of citizens. Everybody keeps talking about human rights, but nobody talks about human responsibilities. If they are introducing human rights as a subject, then responsibilities should also be a part of it. Both go hand in hand."

According to Savitiri Thiagarajan, principal, Kendriya Vidyala, "Initially, implementing it might be a problem, however, later on, the benefits will clearly be seen."

There are indications that there are plans to introduce the subject at an even earlier stage. At a recent conference in New Delhi on human rights education in schools, an official from the National Council for Education research and Training (NCERT), said that the council was working on drafting the contents of the subject and simplifying it for students to introduce it at the school level.

"Introducing the subject at this level will be advantageous because this is the time to nurture students in these subjects," said K P Mishra, principal, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Southern Command. "Very often, in later life, nobody really makes the effort to learn what human rights are all about. If they are taught at the school and college level, they will at least be aware of it."

Vinita Arora, principal of Vatsalya School echoed Mishra's views. "The move will ensure a better future for these students. Innovative thinking is good and will only benefit the students. Children need to be sensitised towards human rights and duties that can bring about a change in their lives."