Guwahati, Aug 16: ‘Vidya Rath – School on Wheels’, a project aimed at imparting elementary education to economically challenged children of the society, was launched at a function on the premises of Gauhati High Court on Monday.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while flagging off the ‘school on wheels’, hoped that the project would help empower economically-challenged children who hitherto remain outside the ambit of formal education.
“There cannot have been a more auspicious occasion for launching this noble cause than the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav when we are celebrating 75 years of our independence,” Sarma said.
The chief minister expressed his gratitude to the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Justice R.M. Chhaya for playing a crucial role in implementing the project in Assam.
“India of our dreams cannot be achieved without the uplift of the socio-economically disadvantaged sections. Therefore, the project Vidya Rath: School on Wheels, will go a long way in imparting education to the economically challenged children and help them to empower academically,” he said.
“Our children are the future of the nation. It is extremely painful to see many of our children, who should be in schools, framing the foundations for a bright future, are instead engaged in begging in the streets, bus stops, railway stations or picking up garbage, bottles. It is equally disheartening to see many of our children drop out of schools owing to their families’ financial condition and wandering around, getting used to substance abuse,” Sarma said.
He said that in spite of the efforts of the central and state governments for educating everyone, a chunk of the children are outside the ambit of formal education.
It may be noted that the project will help provide access for underprivileged children to elementary education for 10 months. After 10 months, the children will be integrated into a conventional system of education. Under the project, students will be given free mid day meals, uniforms and textbooks.