DLSA ensures education to 180 school dropouts
| Date :07-May-2024 |
By Vikas Vaidya
Everyone is aware of the yeoman’s work of resolving several pending court cases by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). It is giving justice to needy people where judges and lawyers render services without taking a single penny. This is all related to legal profession, where judges and lawyers are acting as good samaritans. DLSA has added another feature to its work that is related to providing education to children who leave school for some or other reason. It has helped 180 children to get admitted in schools, and now ensures continuance of their education. Under the able guidance of Principal District Judge and Chairman of DLSA, Nagpur, D P Surana, DLSA Nagpur conducted ‘Bring Dropouts Back to School’ campaign (Specific Serve Campaign to identify dropouts with the help of Para Legal Volunteers). The members of the authority identified total 180 underprivileged teenagers, including 63 girls, 5 handicapped children, who were deprived of education and took action to secure admissions for them in schools. Out of 180 kids, 125 kids had left education due to poor financial condition. Remaining 55 kids were never admitted to the school.
The special drive, led by DLSA Secretary Sachin S Patil proved to be a success, bringing hope and brighter prospects to these young minds. The initiative saw 102 kids from Nagpur city and 78 from rural area being enrolled in schools, ensuring that they are not left behind due to their economic circumstances. Sachin S Patil, appointed three dedicated Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) namely Mukund Adewar, Rajratan Wankhede and Mushahid Khan who selflessly roamed across the city and rural area, particularly focusing on underprivileged areas and slums. The Para Legal Volunteers (PLVS) along with District Child Protection Co-ordinator of Zilla Parishad Prasenjit Gaikwad played a crucial role in creating awareness about the Right to Education Act 2009 among residents, and they worked tirelessly to reach out to the parents of children who were deprived of educational opportunities. Besides admission, the DLSA is also ensuring that the students are provided with school uniforms, books, and other essential materials. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, one of the PLVs Mukund Adewar said, “School dropout is a major problem.
There are children of the parents who keep moving on other places in search of their work. Due to their poor financial conditions, these parents don’t prioritise their wards’ education. When they migrate to other places they hardly take efforts to get their children admitted to school. Once these children leave the school they never get back to studies. Parents also feel relieved of the tension of paying school fees. These children gradually start helping their parents in labour work. We found out such children and also those born to non-migrants. We got admitted to them in schools plus ensured their education wherever they go.” In addition to their efforts on the ground, the para legal volunteers also collaborated with teachers informing them about the importance of admitting underprivileged teenagers in schools. The teachers were also guided on how to encourage ‘out of school’ students to join education stream. The success of this drive was made possible under the able guidance of D. P. Surana, the dedication and hard work of Sachin Patil, Para Legal volunteers and Presenjeet Gaikwad.