Legal education at Schools
Mariyalaya, a rehabilitation centre for street girls, has launched a legal education programme in Corporation and Panchayat schools in Coimbatore.About 10 Corporation schools have been identified in the city.The programme will concentrate on the basic rights of children. “With a lot of exploitation taking place around us, we need to make the children aware of their rights,” says Sr.Arul, Director of Mariyalaya. The same programme would be extended to women too, she adds.This would make the children aware that they are entitled to education, recreation, food, accommodation, protection and freedom of expression, Sr.Arul says.It would also reduce the drop out rate in schools, she observes. Teachers could also attend the seminars, which would be conducted by lawyers.The organisation has also tied up with more than 13 non-Governmental organisations working for the rights of children all over the State and formed the Child Rights Cell. The programme would also be taken to the interior parts of villages, especially in areas where child labour is rampant. Through street theatre, the message would be put across to the public. In Madukkarai, about six schools have been identified for this programme. The children in these schools usually also work in the quarries in the area.A number of children do not attend schools in these villages. The organisation has recently rescued more than 10 children and enrolled them in schools.
The schools have responded positively for the programme and depending on the feedback from the children, the programme would also be extended to private schools, Sr.Arul says.Creating legal awareness among women is also very important as only awareness of their rights could help them rise up against atrocities committed against them, she adds.
