'Prevent dropouts from schools'

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, NOV. 9. The Pondicherry Lt. Governor, Dr. Rajani Rai, has stressed the need to prevent dropouts of children, particularly girls, from schools. There should be an effective campaign to build up awareness of the efficacy of education among the poor people and villagers.

Distributing prizes to children proficient in various events conducted by the Department of Women and Child`s Development as part of celebration of the Children`s Day today, the Lt. Governor listed the problems encountered by women and children. Malnutrition and under nutrition deserved to be tackled with a committed mission as these shortcomings stood in the way of the holistic progress of children.

Dr. Rai also wanted special care for orphans, physically and mentally handicapped children and more resources mobilised to promote their welfare effectively.

Expressing concern over the menace of female infanticide, she said it was a sinful social stigma which should be eradicated by all right thinking people.

There should be attitudinal changes among the people so that the status of equality between man and woman could be established in real terms. An integrated approach should be adopted to take care of interests of women and children, she added.

The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Rangasamy, who presided said the Union Territory administration had already evolved steps to ameliorate the lot of women and children. Very soon kindergarten sections would be opened in government schools to offer education in English medium. All vacant posts of teachers would be filled. Right environment should prevail in educational institutions and to achieve this goal full-fledged buildings were made available replacing thatched sheds housing classrooms, in a phased manner in government schools.

The anganwadi centres now functioning in rented buildings also deserved to be relieved of the practical difficulties. He suggested to the elected legislators to earmark a portion of the Constituency Development funds for construction of buildings for anganwadi centres. Already the Area Development fund of MPs from Pondicheerry had been utilised for infrastructural facilities for anganwadi centres.

The Chief Secretary, Mr. T.T. Joseph, said the National Commission on Population headed by the Prime Minister had assessed that the Union Territory of Pondichery had emerged the first ranker in the country in providing healthcare.

Mrs. M. Sathiavathy, Social Welfare Secretary, and Miss Priyadharshani, Director of the Department of Women and Child Welfare, were among those present. The whole programme was compered by children of balwadi centres. (As November 14 happens to be a holiday in view of Deepavali, the Children`s Day was celebrated a few days in advance by the department today).

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Section  : Southern States
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