Hundreds of school students took out a rally in Madurai on Wednesday to create public awareness on inclusive education with particular emphasis on school education for the differently-abled children.
The Inclusive Education Rally was organised by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for All) and students walked in procession carrying placards with messages that no child should miss education.
Nearly 1,500 students and SSA staff/volunteers participated in the rally from Tamukkam Ground up to Elango Corporation School here.
U. Sagayam, Madurai District Collector, flagged off the rally in the presence of Additional Chief Educational Officer K. Sridevi and SSA coordinators.
Before flagging off, Mr. Sagayam spoke to a few students asking them about the message of this rally and whether they were aware of its objective. “I appreciate you for participating in the inclusive education rally. You have to take part out of your own interest and not for the sake of teachers' compulsion. Everyone must have school education,” the Collector said.
Later, he told reporters that the SSA had conducted the rally to create public awareness on the education and job opportunities available for the differently-abled persons.
Ms. Sridevi had stressed that the role of parents is very important in achieving inclusive education and “out of school” children in the school-going age must be enrolled in schools.
“Through this rally, the parents and general public would come to know about the various Government initiatives for differently-abled children.
Every child must go to school and the SSA is taking steps in that direction,” she said.
Students of over 20 schools in the city had participated in the rally through their NSS units and the focus was on Madurai East Block.
M.Malayalam, NSS District Liaison Officer and S. Selvaraj, District Environment Coordinator, were among the officials who took part.
