The Hindu : Front Page : Free tuition polishes the knowledge of child workers

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Thursday, May 08, 2008
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Free tuition polishes the knowledge of child workers

M. Balaganessin

Photo: R. Ashok

NOBLE EFFORT: Dropout girls of Kothaarapatti in Pudukottai district undergoing special tuition. —

PUDUKOTTAI: They polish artificial gem stones during the day and improve their learning skills in the evening. As many as 241 children, all drop-outs from primary or middle schools in and around Viralimalai, work hard at the artificial gem-cutting units to supplement their family income. Yet, they have a burning desire to pursue education.

An interim remedy, evolved by a service organisation, Grama Seva Sangam, of allowing them to work in the day and develop their learning skills through a tuition in the evening has brought cheers to them.

The Sangam has established 22 non-formal centres (NFC) in various parts of Viralimalai block, enabling the drop-outs to undergo free coaching at their doorsteps. In a few cases, the work spots are a little away than the NFC.

In the interior Kothaarapatti village, about nine km from Viralimalai, 15 little girls, on return from the work spot at Malaikudipatti, three km away from the hamlet, make their way to the NFC to learn the three ‘R’s -- arithmetic, writing and reading for two hours from 6 p.m. on week-days.

“The NFCs, manned by an animator each, adopt the play-way method to attract the children and ensure their participation,” says Sangam Director M. R. Palanichamy.

Animator K. Indira develops both the learning ability and soft-skills of the children, a majority of whom are girls. Using play-way teaching materials, she explains the importance of lotus and the solar system.

Co-ordinators P. Sarojini Devi and Lawrence said that periodical tests were conducted to monitor the children’s progress for admission to regular stream in a phased manner. The break in their education, especially after the winding up of the ‘Child Labour School’ in the district in 2004, has given a serious setback to the academic skills of students.

“After sustained coaching for a period ranging between one to three years, the children would be brought under the regular stream of education,” Mr. Palanichamy said.

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