By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Setting aside their hectic schedule, deprived children of Shillong gathered together on Friday at the Police Training School at Mawlai Mawroh to take part in the first sports meet organised by Reach Shillong Ministries (RSM) for school drop-outs and never-enrolled students.
The children were brought together by RSM by enrolling them in a special school, which was started in May 2012 sponsored by the government under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
Despite the falling rain, around 135 children enthusiastically marched on the muddy ground, danced to the beat of the music, sang melodious songs and raced to the winning line with utmost joy.
According to Rev RG Laloo of RSM, the children are enrolled in four different centres at Nongmynsong, Pynthorumkhrah, Punjabi Lane and Mawlai. “These children, ranging between the age group of 6-14 years, belonged to the underprivileged section of the society and we are trying our best to impart basic education to these children”, Rev Laloo said.
RSM, which was started in 2007, has been involved in providing services to the street children of Shillong by organising different programmes, opening up counseling centres and hope to extend its services throughout the city.
“To make the children more comfortable, we are trying to create a friendly environment in the centres. We wanted them to experience many things apart from the streets during their two hours of stay at the centres,” Rev Laloo said.
Moreover, these students are provided with breakfast every morning. With over 40 volunteers, these centres are managed with the expectation to get these children into regular schools.
According to the coordinator in charge of the SSA project C Kharsyntiew, the response of these children towards this initiative is very good.
Kharsyntiew also mentioned that some students are regularly attending school, while some are not. While the children in the Nongmynsong centre are regular and performed well in their studies, the Punjabi Lane centre is lagging behind.
When asked about the school materials, Kharsyntiew said half of the books, like English, Hygiene studies and others are provided by SSA while the rest are provided by RSM.
Meanwhile, speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, secretary of education FR Kharkongor congratulated the efforts undertaken by RSM while stating that the increasing number of school drop-outs in the state is a matter of concern for the state government.
“With the literacy rate rising to 75 percent, however, the rate of school drop outs also shows an increase and according to statistics, there are around 29,000 drop outs in the state and there are about 1031 street children only in Shillong”, Kharkongor said.
The education secretary also mentioned that the government is providing support to both residential and non-residential institutes while focusing its attention to the drop outs by bringing education closer to them.
The gathering was also attended by the chairperson of the Child welfare Committee, coordinator of the Child Line, members of the RSM besides the parents and children.
