Mandatory reporting under POCSO: what every school should know
27 Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Section 19 of the POCSO Act requires any person who has knowledge, or apprehension, that a sexual offence against a child has been or is likely to be committed to report it to the Special Juvenile Police Unit or the local police.
This duty applies to teachers, principals and other school staff. Under Section 21, failing to report is punishable, so a school cannot treat a disclosure as an internal matter.
Schools should have a written procedure: who the staff member informs, how the report is documented, and how the child is protected and supported throughout.
Our POCSO sessions train teachers and staff on these duties, and we prepare child protection policies and SOPs for schools.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
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