LEGAL LITERACY: A LEARNING LESSON IN SCHOOL

Manvi Sinha

“A child who knows law is not only less likely to break it but also better equipped to protect themselves from becoming its victim.”

When we discuss about education the main focus always relies on subjects like mathematics, science, history, technology and so on, that shape a child’s academic future. Although, there’s remain one essential life skill that continues to be overlooked in most Indian schools’ is legal literacy. When children are taught how to solve maths, write essays and learn question and answers, very few are taught what consent mean, what says about cybercrime, child marriage, bullying, or what are their legal rights and responsibilities.

This gap in education sometimes lead to impact children’s life. As someone who has interacted with both school children and children in conflict wit law during fieldwork, I realised that legal ignorance is often not a lack of knowledge but it can become the starting point of lifelong consequences.

During my interaction with school students, none of them admitted that they have attended sessions on legal awareness, where they are explained about basic laws, rules and regulations related to children, thou they had very little knowledge about age of consent, cyber safety and even know where to seek help if they face harassment or abuse. Surprisingly, similar responses were received from children logged in observation homes. Many of them even shared that before coming into conflict with law, they had never been informed about the legal consequences of their action.

One pattern seemed similar in most of the children in conflict with law. A significant number of adolescents between the ages of fifteen and eighteen had been involved in situations they weren’t aware of consequences. Some had run away with their girlfriends, believing they were simply making a personal choice.

Other entered into sexual relationship without understanding the legal meaning of consent or the implications of age under Indian law. Most of them were shocked when they found themselves accused under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), Act. Whether every case was genuine or involved allegations arising from family of opposition is a matter of court, but one fact remained common that most of these children lacked even the basic knowledge or understanding of the law before their lives changed dramatically.

The issue is not limited to POCSO cases alone. Today’s children grow up in a digital world where they constantly interact through social media, online games, messaging platforms, and digital payment applications. A harmless joke shared online can amount to cyberbullying. Forwarding an intimate photograph without permission may constitute a criminal offence. Creating fake accounts, threatening someone digitally, or even participating in online betting can attract legal consequences. Yet very few students are formally educated about these issues before they begin using technology independently.

The most striking moment during my fieldwork was when I asked the same question to two different groups i.e., school students and children in conflict with law.

The question was “What difference would it have made if you had basic legal knowledge about your rights and the consequences of your actions?”

The responses were remarkably similar.

Several children in conflict with the law admitted that if they had been informed about the consequences earlier, they would have acted differently and there was a high probability that they would not have entered the observation home. Their responses reflected regret rather than criminal intent.

School students responded from another perspective. They felt that legal knowledge was equally important as it would help them to protect themselves from false accusations, wrong decision making, exploitation and unsafe situations. Many believed that knowing their rights would make them more confident in reporting abuse, discrimination or violence instead of remaining silent.

Through these interactions highlighted an important truth. Legal literacy is not only about preventing crime but is equally about empowering children to safeguard themselves and make informed decisions.

Generally, society assumes that children understand the difference between right and wrong, but morality is somewhere different from legality. A teenager may believe that running away with their partner is an act of love without realising that law treats such situations differently when minors are involved. Similarly, many children are not aware that sharing someone’s personal pictures or recording them without consent, or involving in any sort of online harassment would be considered as criminal act. Without education, expecting children to navigate these complex legal realities is unrealistic.

School students also recognised the importance of legal literacy. They believed that learning about basic laws, consent, cyber safety, and their legal rights would help them make informed decisions, protect themselves from exploitation and false accusations, and confidently seek help whenever required. Their responses reflected a genuine need for legal education as a part of everyday learning.

Legal literacy should no longer be viewed as an optional awareness programme but as an essential component of school education. Just as schools prepare children for academic success, they must also prepare them to navigate the legal and social realities of everyday life. Basic knowledge of laws relating to consent, cyber safety, child rights, bullying, gender sensitivity, and the legal consequences of common offences can empower children to make informed choices and protect themselves from harm.

The experiences shared by both school students and children in conflict with the law clearly demonstrate that a lack of legal awareness can have life-altering consequences. While legal literacy alone cannot eliminate juvenile delinquency or victimisation, it can significantly reduce preventable mistakes, encourage responsible behaviour, and foster a culture of accountability and respect for the law.

Every child deserves not only the right to education but also the right to understand the laws that shape and protect their lives. Introducing age-appropriate legal literacy into school curricula is therefore not merely an educational reform—it is an investment in creating informed, responsible, and empowered citizens. It is time for policymakers, educators, and institutions to recognise that legal literacy is no longer a choice; it is a necessity for the future of every child.

About the Contributor:

Manvi Sinha is currently pursuing a Master’s in Criminology after completing her Bachelor’s in Business Administration (Security Management). Her academic interests lie in juvenile justice, crime prevention, legal awareness, and public policy. My research focuses on juvenile recidivism and the reintegration of children in conflict with the law in Jharkhand. She is the fellow of the Public Policy Youth Fellowship at IMPRI.