Cop’s initiative to end child labour

Chotuppal: Mahesh M Bhagwat, Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda, inaugurated a government school at Chotuppal for local poor children. Last year, a police team of Rachakonda had rescued about 800 children working as child labour at different places, most of them from brick kilns. Most of the people who work at these kilns are natives of Orissa. 

Speaking to The Hans India, S Ramesh, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Choutuppal said, “After observing that the children whose parents work in brick kilns are the most vulnerable ones to child labour in this area, Commissioner of Police Mahesh M Bhagwat had decided to start a school for these children after counseling their parents.”

Ramesh said, “The building which is being used for the school now belongs to the government. So, we had to take permission for the same. Collector Anita Ramchandran said eight teachers were appointed for teaching in the school (four from Orrisa and four from local). The teachers from Orissa have been appointed to ensure that the children do not have problem to communicate in the process of learning.”

“There are around 180 children who have been admitted in the school as of now, and the school has classes from one to five. The whole idea of starting the school is to eradicate the social evil called ‘Child labour’ from the commissionerate”, added S Ramesh.

After inaugurating the school, the Commissioner, Anita Ramchandran and S Ramesh released posters relating to education. Commissioner Mahesh M Bhagwat distributed pens, books, plates and dresses to the children of the school. 

“Our Commissioner of Police has made it very clear, he is not going to compromise when it comes to the development and security for the future of these children. Also, we have taken a pledge to match the footsteps of our commissioner”, said S Ramesh.