Tura, October 5, 2024: In order to address the issue of School Dropouts and promote Back-to-School Campaign, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Tura in collaboration with Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority will be organising “Back-To-School” Campaign” with the participation of all stakeholders of the district held on 5th October, 2024 at Government Upper Primary and RMSA School, Selsella C & RD Block. The theme for the campaign is “Bridging the Gap- Back to School” campaign.
Addressing the gathering, the District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, DLSA, West Garo Hills Tura A M Ripnar MHJS informed that Justice H S Thangkhiew, Executive Chairman of Meghalaya State Legal Service Authority could not be present in the program due to unavoidable circumstances. He then mentioned that the 86 Amendment Act 2002 inserted in Article 21 (a) of the Constitution of India to provide free and compulsory education of all Children in the age group of 6 to 14 years as a fundamental right. He reiterated that the right of children to free and compulsory education, the RTE Act 2009 states that every child has the right to attend full time elementary and quality education in a formal school.
Mentioning that all children between 6 to 14 years should complete elementary education in a neighborhood school, he said that as per of the Act, the government should ensure compulsory admission, attendance and completion of elementary education free of cost also providing all round development of the child based on the capacity, talent of the child concerned by initiating child friendly environment and child centered learning. He informed that the MSLSA had proposed to revisit the campaign titled the “Opening Doors for Education to Children” campaign for school dropouts through the NALSA Child friendly legal services to children and the Protection scheme 2015 and Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education 2009 which is the project of the year 2024-25 and the aim of the campaign is to bring back all school dropouts and also protect their valuable rights as enshrined in the constitution of India. He further said that the campaign would enable access to education and learning to all children of the State of Meghalaya deprived of their rights and focused to include all sections of society irrespective of gender, caste, disabilities or abilities. Urging all the children to continue their education in future, he also seeks the cooperation of all stakeholders, parents and teachers to work together and ensure that no child should be a school dropout.
Sub-Divisional Officer (C), Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division, Dadenggre Sumeet Kumar Singh said that education is one of the most important sectors for any state and issue of dropout is common in the area. He further highlighted that financial problems, teenage pregnancy, etc are few reasons for school dropout in the region. He then encouraged everyone to come back to school if they are dropouts and said that going to school and learning is necessary for every child to make a successful career in their life.
Meanwhile, District Social Welfare Officer, Tura Madonna T Sangma informed the gathering about various schemes available in the department including ECD or pre-school learning for children upto six years at the Anganwadi centres, financial aids for pregnant mothers, grant-in-aid for Persons with Disabilities and those who are studying can also apply for Book grant, Conveyance allowance and uniform grant. Moreover, those persons with disabilities, who have finished their studies and are not yet employed also can apply for unemployment grants from the department.
As part of the event different departments of the district such as Social Welfare, Agriculture, Horticulture, Fishery, PHE, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department, Labour, Education, etc participated and displayed their respective schemes and activities of the department as well as to provide service during the campaign to the beneficiaries by providing vital information and support to the attendees and also offering spot registration and assistance for eligible schemes in the respective departments.
In addition to these, the Department of Social Welfare, West Garo Hills, Tura have identified specially abled persons/children during the campaign by issuing disability certificates (UDID Card) to the identified persons and providing aids and equipment/appliances to these persons.
Moreover, the department had also organized games and other activities for girl children as part of the celebration of 10 days campaign for “International Day for Girl Child” during the function.
The Chief Guest and other dignitaries distributed Aids and Appliances to the beneficiaries during the function and also distributed certificates and trophies to winners of Drawing, Painting and Essay competitions held earlier.
Moreover, the Self Help Groups (SHGs) of the Selsella C & RD Block, Selsella participated in the campaign and also exhibited locally made products.
Secretary, DLSA, Tura, I R Marak, MJS, Block Development Officer, Selsella C & RD Block Emmanuel M Sangma were among other who spoke during the occasion while Special Judge POCSO, B Liatmon, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tura Vincent Sangma, Heads of line Departments, Nokmas, teachers, students and people of the area attended the function.
