Simon is 17 years old and wants a school where children with different abilities, talents and interests are treated equally.
“Some study well, some draw beautifully and some can make things with their hands. But teachers seem to like only those children who score good marks,” he says.
Simon is one of the 15-odd children who spoke about their rights and responsibilities as part of the S. Manjubhashini Memorial Seminar–2014, organised by Bala Mandir Research Foundation.
Teachers from various schools and those run by Bala Mandir participated in the seminar in which issues pertaining to adolescents were discussed.
Earlier, Nirmala Lakshman, Director, Kasturi & Sons Ltd., released a set of books titled Baalar Paadalgal for children in classes VII-VIII and IX-XII.
The books, written by G. Kanakam, a former teacher, are wonderfully illustrated and have lovely poems and stories adapted for children, she said.
Ms. Lakshman also commended Bala Mandir’s activities which are based on the ideals of its founder Manjubhashini, who followed the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.
S. Anandalakshmy, president of the Foundation, and Maya Gaitonde, secretary of the Foundation, were also present on the occasion.