Right to education essential to prevent exploitation of children

Updated on: Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said his government would strive for the development of children in tea garden, riverine (char) and tribal areas where a large number of the children are deprived of the Right to Education.

Stressing on the importance of ensuring compulsory education for all children to end exploitation and mitigate poverty, the Chief Minister said, ''As poverty is one of the causes for exploitation of children, it can be done away with by ensuring the Right to Education.'' Mr Gogoi inaugurated a state-level Awareness Generation Meet on Child Rights and Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

The programme has been organised by Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR), in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi Study Circle, Assam, and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Mr Gogoi said everyone must contribute towards ensuring the rights of children on all fronts be it education, food and shelter.

''The children, who are our assets and future of our country, must be provided with all facilities, especially the disadvantaged segments. It is our responsibility to make each and every child a good citizen by providing them with a congenial atmosphere for their all-round growth and development,'' he said.

He said it was through education that one can bring an end to poverty, exploitation and deprivation of children from their rights.

The Chief Minister said he was elated to see children's Right to Education, becoming a reality.

Underscoring the need for focusing on the disadvantaged children, Mr Gogoi said, ''Special care has to be taken for the marginalised lot if the Act has to become effective. Leaving this deprived section in the lurch will not fulfill the purpose for which the Act has been envisaged.'' Speaking on the occasion, Chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Dr Shantha Sinha said all rights for children are equally important and each depend upon the other.

Dr Sinha said the implementation of the Right to Education for children is a challenging job and the Government alone cannot do it.

''The civil society, the NGOs and particularly the youths have to join hands with the Government to ensure successful implementation of the Act,'' she said.

Chief of UNICEF, Assam, Jeroo Master said,'' The epoch making piece of legislation would help contribute to the overall development of the state and the country as a whole.'' She stressed on the need to ensure educational rights for children living in char and backward areas of the state.

Right to education essential to prevent exploitation of children

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