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Over 150 students got a chance to freek out and exhibit their talent at an event in the City on Tuesday. Students from 15 government and aided primary schools in Mangalore taluk, took part in the grand finale of talent competitions organised by the Child Rights Club Forum.
For most of the students who were not very active in the classes three years ago, joining the Club was a boon. It not only created awareness about child rights, gram sabhas and motivated them to participate in extra-curricular activities, but also encouraged them to bring awareness about child rights among their fellow members. The concept of Child Rights Club, an initiative by Prajna Counselling Centre under Empowerment and Participation of Women and Children project, which was started in 15 schools three years ago to bring awareness about child rights among students as well as teachers, has become popular now.
The success of the Club, led to start Child Rights Club Forum in the same schools three months ago, to provide a platform for the children to showcase their hidden talents.
Various competitions for children were conducted in all the schools during last three months and grand finale was organised at Prajna Counselling Centre in the city on Tuesday. Winners of the cluster-wise competitions took part in the finale, where they put their talent to test. There was theme based group song competition, fancy dress, drawing on environment as theme, elocution on child rights, skit etc.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, EPWC project co-ordinator William Samuel said that the basic idea of organising theme based contests for students was to instill confidence among them. “Normally the children who are selected as the members of the Club are less active. But the constant support and training given to them, has helped them to gain confidence, understand things, observe keenly,” he said.
DK ZP HP School Badriya Nagar teacher Flavy Jacintha Miranda said that around 50 students from her school who are the members of the Club were aware of child rights and several other social issues after having actively involved in the Club activities. “They stage street plays, take part in debate competitions, participate in gram sabhas which will help them to become better citizens,” she said and added that the competition held on Tuesday, would only help them to nurture their talent.
Chandrashekhar, a VII Std student HP School Kavoor was all excited to participate fancy dress and skit competition. When asked about his awareness on child rights, he said that he knew that child right was all about providing basic education to the children between the age of six to 14 years. Narrating an incident, he said that he had dialed child helpline 1098, to inform about three children who were employed in a hotel in his village. They were later rescued by Child Welfare Committee and Labour department. “If not for the Club activities, I would not have had knowledge on the importance of child rights,” he said.