Rachakonda: Odisha and Maharashtra states migrant brick kilns worker children who availed education in their mother tongue under work sites school a PPP Model of Rachakonda police, Revenue Department, Aide et action NGO and brick kiln workers association expressed their gratitude to the unique initiative by Mr. Mahesh Bhagwat IPS, Commissioner of Police Rachakonda Police Commissionerate. Every child need to be educated. Education is gift to children, “Mr. Mahesh Bhagwat IPS.
On 8th June 2022 CP Rachakonda Mr. Mahesh Bhagwat IPS, Suresh Gutta id at Action Regional manager at Hyderabad & SHO Keesara Police Station Mr. Raghuveer Reddy has handed over completion certificates to children. CP has specially appreciated work of civil society Aide et action, District administration and Brick kiln owners association for their partnership in the best interest of children who could have landed as child labour.
For the 6th consecutive year, the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate under the leadership of Mr. Mahesh Bhagwat I.P.S Commissioner of Police Rachakonda has initiated worksite schools for the children of brick kiln workers who migrated from Odisha and Maharashtra states to work in the brick kiln nearly for about 6 months.
Due to the migratory condition, the children are forced to drop out of school to accompany their parents and potentially end up as child labor. To address this situation, the Rachakonda Commissionerate in partnership with District administration of Yadadri Bhongir, Medchal and Rangareddy Districts, NGO Aide et action and Brick kiln owners association has set up worksite schools for these children within the vicinity of the brick kilns. The kiln owners came forward to provide space and other necessary support while Aide et Action, an NGO working for the cause of education in India mobilized the teachers and text books from the respective states and oversaw the effective implementation of the intervention whereas District administration extended midday meal scheme and made available school buildings
The intervention which commenced in the month of December continued till the end of May. The volunteers emphasized quality education through engagement in their mother tongue.
The worksite initiative has benefitted 908 Odia children living in the worksites of Adibatla, Manchala, Maheswaram, Ibrahimpatnam in Rangareddy and Pochampally, Peddakonduru of Choutuppal in Yadadri districts and 55 Marathi speaking children from Nanded District of Maharashtra living in kilns of keesara of Medchal. All these children underwent simple qualitative assessment procedure on their competencies based on which focus was given to improve their competencies. By the end of the academic year, all children received certificates, endorsed by the local administration & Aide et Action, which are necessary for their reintegration in the school in their native place. Back home, the Aide et Action team ensures that all the children are re-enrolled into the schools and continue their education.
The initiative was started as a follow-up of Operation Smile conducted by Rachakonda Police Commissionerate in 2017 to provide education to children who otherwise end up working as labor in brick kilns.
After successful demonstration of the Worksite School initiative in 2017, the partnership between Rachakonda Police Commissionerate, District Administration. Aide et Action International and Brick kiln owners is growing strong and ensuring education & child care to migrant children. Additionally, 425 children in the age group of 0-6 years received early child care services including Take-Home-Ration and Immunization services. The initiative has succeeded in making the brick kilns free from child labor.
This unique partnership with the Rachakonda Commissionerate, District Administrations. Education dept., Brick Kiln owners and AEA have come together to transform these brick kilns into a “No child labour zones”, post COVID it becomes more important to initiate such interventions to ensure no child drops out of school.
Our Citizen Reporter
B. Bharath Reddy
