Karnataka   

Helpless children turn over a new leaf

Rehabilitated children giving a dance performance at a function in Davangere recently.

DAVANGERE: The recent direction of the government to all district administrations to emulate Davangere district in eliminating child labour and rehabilitating them speaks of the tremendous performance of the Davangere district administration in eradicating child labour, rehabilitating them and brining them to the mainstream. The district administration is assisted by UNICEF-NORADA child labour eradication project team.

As many as 10,993 children, who were working as labourers in different workplaces, were rescued, rehabilitated and brought back to school in the last four years in the district. This is said to be a record not only in the State but in the entire South India.

Today, it is difficult to believe yet it is true that most of the rescued child labour, who are studying in different schools, could speak of children rights. They have also been instrumental in getting compound wall and toilets constructed in their schools.

The district administration and the project team have not merely rescued children and sent them to hostels and schools and washed their hands off it. They have systematically enthused the children to pursue their studies.

Today, the rehabilitated students are not willing to discontinue their studies. In fact, all of them have their own dreams with some studying to become doctors and other engineers. It is a pleasant surprise that such a transformation has taken place in the mindset of the children who were either working in fields or in garages earlier.

Initially, the children were engaged in different sport and extra-curricular activities, including songs, dramas and dances.

Later, they were taught basics in different subjects and admitted to different schools. The children were provided with textbooks, stationery, schoolbags and uniforms. This is another factor that prompted students to evince interest in education.

Last year, 28 rehabilitated children secured first class and 48 secured second class in the SSLC examination. Similarly, such children are doing well in high schools and in seventh standard examinations.

Apart from this, the district administration has played a vital role in getting punishment to 147 employers for employing children.

The district administration has also helped the parents of such children to become self-employed in one way or the other.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Tulu drama festival from April 8
Feeling the heat
Surplus budget for Chitradurga CMC
Rs. 990.16-cr. outlay for Davangere
Crop loan only a gimmick: KRRS
Unique Janata Adalat
Helpless children turn over a new leaf
Mixed feelings in Bijapur, Bagalkot
Health camp
Farmers’ appeal
Rs. 299-cr. credit plan for Chamarajanagar district
A tricycle with square wheels

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu