Elimination of Child Labour and Restoration of Lost Childhood Through Residential School in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu June to September 2016

Elimination of Child Labour and Restoration of Lost Childhood through Residential School in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu June to September 2016

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Submitted By

October 2016

Head office : 90A Nasarathpet Village, Little Kanchipuram- 631503, Tamil Nadu. Chennai Office : New No.33, Old No.14, 48th Street, 9th Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai – 600083, Tamil Nadu. Website : hihindia.org Facebook : facebook.com/hihindia.org

Origin

Hoist Group and Hand in Hand India (HIH) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project to support elimination of child labour by running Residential Special Training Centre (RSTC) for child labourers and long-time dropouts and to implement Social Mobilisation Program (SMP) in RK Pet, Thiruttani and Pallipet blocks of Thiruvallur District.

Project Objectives

Hoist Group project will focus on the following objectives:- • To enrol the child labourers and long-time dropouts between 6-14 years of age in the RSTC and prepare them for schooling . • To enroll / mainstream all the out of school children in the formal schools in the project blocks • To monitor functioning of local schools effectively through active participation of community stakeholders like panchayat presidents and elected representatives • To improve the awareness within the community on child rights, children’s education and gender equality • To enhance and sustain the community participation in protection of child rights and child development through social mobilisation

Project Out puts Report (June – Sept 2016)

S. No Deliverables Outcome/Beneficiaries I Residential Special Training Center (RSTC) 1. RSTC enrollments 47 2. Mainstreaming of Children 57 II Social Mobilisation Programme (SMP) 1. Govt School Enrollments 4873 2. World Day Against Child Labour 2430 3. CRPC module II training 1023 4. Education Enhancement Day 2556 5. Program for Missing Children 160 6. Cultural program 750 7. Child Marriage Awareness program 2500

1. Residential Special Training Centre

We are happy to inform that the Residential School run by Hand in Hand India at Dhamanery Village in Thiruvallur district has been shifted out, to a hired premises with state-of-the-art facilities at Kaverirajapuram, Thiruvallur in July 2016. The new facility has larger ground area comprising of classrooms, kitchen, and playground. The school houses 62 children and faculty members, who monitor the students.

School Capacity S. No Block Name Boys Girls Total 1 R K Pet 8 3 11 2 Pallipet 10 5 15 3 Thiruttani 11 15 26 4 Puzhal 10 2 12 5 Cholavaram 13 10 23 Total 52 35 87

No of Children Mainstreamed from RSTC to Govt School S. No Block Name Boys Girls Total 1 R K Pet 6 2 8 2 Pallipet 7 5 12 3 Thiruttani 7 10 17 4 Puzhal 5 2 7 5 Cholavaram 9 4 13 Total 34 23 57

New Students Enrolled S. No Block Name Boys Girls Total 1 R. K. Pet 7 2 9 2 Pallipet 9 6 15 3 Thiruttani 9 2 11 4 Puzhal 4 1 5 5 Cholavaram 4 3 7 Total 33 14 47

Note: - Fifty-seven out of 87 children were mainstreamed into government school. Fifteen elusive children were encouraged to re-register in government schools near their residence and another fifteen children continue to study in the RSTC

Out of the 57 children, mainstreamed into regular government schools, 37 were enrolled in schools near their homes, while 21 others hailing from incapacitated families (poor socio- economic condition) were registered into the government-run free hostels. CLEP field staff track the performance of the mainstreamed students and interact with their teachers, at regular intervals, to gauge their performance. Thanks to the Social Mobilisation Program underway in Thiruvallur, the field staff is updated on the student’s family condition to know about their socio-economic status.

The following activities were carried out during this reporting period:-

Independence Day Celebration Awareness programs were conducted as part of Independence Day celebrations. Various types of competitions are organised for the students and prizes are distributed. A total of 70 children participated in the annual program. Government officials, panchayat president, CRPC members, Teachers, HM, parents and children participate on this day.

Dr Kalam’s Anniversary Commemorated Students of Kaverirajapuram RSTC paid tribute to Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to commemorate his first death anniversary on July 27, 2016. Several glimses from his life, achievements, education and accomplishments were shared with the children. A total of 56 students participated in this program.

Dental Camp A dental camp was conducted in Thiruvalankadu RSTC with the support of Karpaga Vinayaga Dental College. The campaign aimed at enhancing the oral health of the students. A general check-up was conducted by the doctors and those detected with dental issues were referred to local hospitals. A total of 72 students were benefited from this camp.

Fire Safety Training Program The fire safety training program was conducted by Hand in Hand India at Kaverirajapuram RSTC, to educate them on the preventive measures to be observed in the case of an emergency and first aid treatment to be given thereof. The aim was to develop a team, trained in fire emergency plan procedures and willing to enforce fire safety and prevention methods during an emergency. Police officials from the fire department and station masters, RSTC teachers and non- teaching staff were part of this program. A total of 65 members benefitted from this training program.

First Aid Training Program The first aid training program conducted by Hand in Hand India at Kaverirajapuram RSTC aims to educate the members on how to brace a fire emergency, to increase safety levels and provide quick medical help. The main objective of the program is to provide immediate care to a person who has been injured or has fallen ill by giving immediate medical assistance

Teacher’s Day Celebrations As part of the Teacher’s Day celebration at Kaverirajapuram RSTC, a booklet The Beacons of Light, compilation of the experiences by the RSTC Teachers was released. Several games and ice breakers sessions were organised for them. The cultural team also presented songs in appreciation of the teachers.

Vinayaka Chathurthy Celebrations

The students and teachers also celebrated Vinayaka Chaturthi at the campus, with a special evening pooja conducted in the premises

Community Engagement Social Mobilisation Program (SMP) involves a process of bringing the community together to address issues that affect them. As part of this initiative, awareness campaigns were organised and community support structures were developed to sustain outcomes in all three project areas.

School Re-opening and Welcome Program The welcome program for school children was organised to encourage those who have been enrolled recently. The welcome program helps parents experience the ambience of the school and get to know the teachers, who would be training their kids. Some of the eminent members who were part of this program included the Village Administrative Officer, Panchayat President and the CRPC members. Around 404 participants were present.

World Day Against Child Labour

Every year Hand in Hand India and Child Labour Elimination Programme (CLEP) observes the World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) on June 12, with a series of programs. This year, in line with UNICEF’s theme ‘END CHILD LABOUR IN SUPPLY CHAINS’, several events were organised including organising child protection committee training, awareness rallies, oath, signature campaign, human chain, cultural awareness program and distribution of IEC materials. The program was well supported by the district collectors and the district Magistrate. Around 2,430 members participated in the program, which was mutually planned with the support of Labour department and District child protection unit.

CRPC Module 2 Training

In a bid to empower the Child Right Protection Committee, and to secure the rights of children, Hand in Hand India has created training modules on various issues including child rights, about ChildLine India foundation, Child helpline 1098, Child Protection, POCSO Act. The objection of the training was to educate the CRPC members on the various acts, laws related to child rights. Over 83 programs were conducted in various locations with a participation of 1023 members.

Kalvi Valarchi Nal (Education Enhancement Day In remembrance of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Kamarajar, every year his birthday is celebrated as Kalvi Valarchi Nal on July 15 to highlight the importance of education. The event, jointly organised by Hand in Hand India field staff and CRPCs encourages students to hold on to education informs them about several schemes such as Mid-day meal, free school uniform, industrial and technical courses that were executed during his tenure. Around 2556 members participated in the program.

Operation Muskaan II Program

Operation Muskaan II is a program for missing children conducted every year in Thiruvallur district by the government officials to rescue missing children in the bordering districts. Hand in Hand India has assisted the government officials in rescuing children. In the three programs that have bene conducted a total of 160 children have been rescued.

Cultural Program

On August 25 and 26, a two-day cultural program was organised in the neighbouring villages at Thiruvalankadu Block, Kaverirajapuram RSTC. The awareness and cultural program were organised to sensitise them on the importance of education and to reduce the dropout rate of students in the school.

District Level CRPC Meeting

The district level CRPC volunteers training was conducted for all the representatives from four districts. From each block 10 to 15 members attended this training program that covered the following:

Ø JJ Act

Ø Child Protection

Ø Government schemes

Ø Group Interaction Regarding Volunteerism

The main objective of this training program, which saw the participation of 62 beneficiaries, was to educate the CRPC members and to train them on all the above laws and schemes that are related to child rights.

Child Marriage Awareness Program

Child Marriage Awareness Program was organised at Thiruthani on September 22, 2016. The awareness rally, which started from Thiruthani, covered three blocks namely Thiruthani, R K Pettai and Pallipat Block which includes 15 panchayats. Sundaravalli (District Collector) inaugurated the awareness program from Thiruthani BDO office and it covered three blocks as mentioned above. A total number of 2500 were benefited from this program

Meetings: The following table provides details on various types Panchayat level stakeholder meetings and community members participation in these meetings conducted as of June’16 to September’16. During the project period, Child Labour Elimination Programme (CLEP) staff initiated 63 meetings benefitting 1653 stakeholders

SOCIAL MOBILISATION PROGRAM

S. No. Type of Program No. of Program No. of Participants

1 CRPC Meeting 25 309 2 Gram Sabha 1 113 3 Village Education Committee (VEC) / 8 113 School Management Committee (SMC) 4 Village 19 708 5 Cultural 1 98 6 Group Motivation 7 51 7 School Children Rally 2 261

63 1653 Total

Enrollments: The following table provides the details of enrollments that happened through our Social Mobilisation Program as of June’16 to September’16. During the project period, Child Labour Elimination Programme (CLEP) staff ensures the enrolment of 4873 children into government schools.

Government School RK pet Pallipet Thirutani Puzhal Soloavaram Enrollments Balwadi

(3 -5 years) Boys 122 80 115 44 52 Girls 103 103 85 46 45 School 5+

Boys 129 248 150 80 94 Girls 104 257 110 67 79 School 6th

Boys 179 150 105 96 96 Girls 198 178 120 82 94 School 9th

Boys 201 169 220 81 86 Girls 189 178 130 71 76 6 to 14 Dropout

Boys 1 6 10 8 9 Girls 0 3 11 8 5 Total No. of Boys 632 653 600 309 337

Total No. of Girls 594 719 456 274 299 Total No. of students enrolled 1226 1372 1056 583 636 in Govt. Schools

Case Study 1

Name of the Student : B S Mohan

Age : 14

Gender : Male

Contact No : 7888670811

Fathers Name : Subiramani

Father’s Occupation : Handloom

Mother’s Name : Rani

Mother’s Occupation : Coolie

Previous Educational Qualification : Class IV

Duration of Idle time /Dropout period: 1 year

Current Status : +1 Government Higher Secondary School, Athimanjeri

A Teacher in the Making

Mohan was one among the many children caught in the rut of child labour owing to an alcoholic father. Hailing from a poor family in Annanagar village, Thiruvallur, Mohan was the sole breadwinner of the family and had to drop out from school barely at Class 4 and worked as a head load worker along with his mother and brother. To top it all, they were working as bonded labourers under the man, who had lent a lump sum to the family. During one of its regular field visits, Hand in Hand India staff identified him and tried to make him understand the need to rejoin school. However, neither him nor his family were ok with this idea. “Only if we work, we can run the family”, his mother said. However, it was after several rounds of counselling that the family finally agreed to send Mohan to school and he was enrolled in the fifth standard at Dhameneri RSTC in the year 2010. After two years, Mohan was mainstreamed to class VIII at Dhandabani School, Kanchipuram. He completed his class X and Athimanjari government school for further studies. He is currently studying in eleventh grade and aspires to become a teacher.

CASE STUDY - 2

Name of the Student : Keerthana

Age : 14

Gender : Female

Fathers Name : Sekar

Father’s Occupation : Head load workers

Mother’s Name : Anitha

Mother’s Occupation : Head load workers

Previous Educational Qualification : Class V

Duration of Idle time / Dropout period: 1 Year

Current Status : Class X, Government High School Pallipet

Winning Life’s Battles with Grit

Keerthana from Thirumalrajpet Panchayat under Pallipat block in Thiruvallur was a victim of circumstances. Having both her parents, working as wage labourers the family was forced to survive on the bare minimum. In order to supplement the family income, she dropped out of school in 2011, while she was pursuing fifth grade and began working in agricultural fields, collecting fire woods from the forests and sometimes as a daily wage labourer. It was after rigorous efforts by Hand in Hand India field staff that her parents motivated her to join RSTC. They also met her parents regularly and convinced them to enrol her in RSTC Dhamanery. In 2012 she was admitted to grade six at the RSTC and later mainstreamed into Pallipet government school in seventh grade. Currently studying in tenth grade, Keerthana is cheerful to share her present position and expresses how she was successfully able to fight her way out of child labour with the help of Hand in Hand India.