Wednesday, August 8, 2012

We, Caritas Kandy - SETIK celebrated the International Day against Child Labour

We celebrated the international day against Child Labour in an exemplary manner on the 21st of July 2012 at the Hatton town, with the participation of 305 persons.

Mr. Karuppiah Meinathan-the former Director of Education, Rev. Fr. H. N. Abraham-the Nuwara Eliya district Coordinator of 'SETIK', Mr. N. C. Gregory-Administrative Manager, Mr. A. C. S. Crooz- Programme Coordinator, Members of the 'SETIK' staff, Principal of Thangakelle Tamil Maha Vidyalaya, Teachers of Schools, Field Community, Community Leaders and Children were among the participants.

There was a protest march led by Mr. A. C. S. Crooz, the Programme Coordinator from the Hatton Central Bus Stand to the Catholic Church Hall with the caption "Stop Child Labour".

Rev. Fr. H. N. Abraham in his address stressed the responsibility of the community to educate child labour and promote the education of the children.

There was a debate conducted among schools on the topic "who is responsible for child labour - the parents or children"?.  'Thangakelle Maha Vidyalaya' secured the first place by scoring 184 points while St. Clair Tamil Maha Vidyalaya came second with 181 points.

Mr. Karuppiah Meinathan, the resource person of this day in his address emphasized about the adverse effects of Child Labour and stressed the need of severe punishment to the offenders.  He also said that the children of minor employees who clean the town are not treated or regarded properly by the community and made an appeal to the community to treat them as their children without any discrimination.

A short film show, depicting the child labourers who re-attend schools after being enlighted was also presented on this occasion.  Five dropped out children who were re-admitted to school have now been qualified to follow the G. C. E. (A/L) were presented with exercise books.

Detail of this programme had been published in the "Sooriya Kanthy" news paper with banners and posters.  Hand bills were distributed among the participants denouncing child labour.  This information may have reached through out the district of Nuwara Eliya.

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