The Hindu : Front Page : Former child labourers shine in SSLC, PU exams

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Wednesday, May 07, 2008
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Former child labourers shine in SSLC, PU exams

H.S. Narasimha Kumar

Six students in Davangere district score first class marks

Achievers: (Clockwise from top left) C. Hanumantha, Somakka., H. Nagaraj and M. Mahantesh.

DAVANGERE: Six children, who had discontinued their studies to become child labourers some years ago owing to adverse family circumstances, have passed the SSLC and PU examinations this year in Davangere district with first class marks.

C. Hanumantha, Somakka. R. Manikantha and Annappanaika passed the SSLC examination while M. Mahantesh and H. Nagaraj passed PU examination.

Hanumantha, who was a bonded labourer, secured 389 marks (62.24 per cent), Manikanta scored 411 marks (65.76 per cent), Somakka scored 381 marks (60.96 percent) and Annappanaika secured 383 marks (61.28per cent) in the SSLC examination. M. Mahantesh secured 405 marks (64.8 per cent) and H. Nagaraj got 400 marks (64 per cent) in the PU examination.

Of the five children, two were bonded labourers and three were cowherds. Hanumantha’s parents pledged him to a person from whom they had received a loan to pay the fees of Hanumantha’s elder brother, which they could not repay. The boys were rescued by the district administration some years ago and continued their studies at the Don Bosco School for rescued child labourers here.

The five children were given bridge and re-orientation classes before they were brought into the educational mainstream. Thanks to the efforts of the district administration and the teaching faculty of Don Bosco, the lives of the five children, who would have otherwise remained labourers all their lives, have taken a different course. With their success in these crucial examinations, they are on the threshold of bigger achievements in their lives.

The fact that evaluation was quite tough this year in both the SSLC and PU examinations and overall pass percentage in Davangere had come down, makes their achievement even more commendable. They will become models for other students from similar backgrounds and with similar aspirations.

The five students have made not only their school Don Bosco proud, but the entire district. Their proud parents regret their mistake in sending their children to work, and have pledged that they will convince others to send their children to school at any cost as education is an invaluable asset.

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