Deputy Commissioner Celebrates New Year with Students of Bamboo School

Patiala News: In a unique initiative to celebrate New Year 2024, Patiala Deputy Commissioner Dr. Preeti Yadav spent time with students of the Bamboo School established at the RNB Brick Kiln in Village Kheri Gaurian. Marking the occasion, she distributed sweets, study materials, blankets, and other essentials to around 60 children, emphasizing the district administration’s commitment to ensuring a bright future for the children of migrant workers employed at brick kilns.

Dr. Preeti Yadav highlighted that two Bamboo Schools have been set up in the district to provide children of migrant workers access to formal education and life skills. She affirmed that additional steps would be taken to safeguard these children from child labour by ensuring comprehensive support, including health surveys, vaccinations, mid-day meals, and other necessary facilities.

Dr. Yadav further said “Many positive changes are already visible among the children attending these schools. We are committed to improving the infrastructure further and preparing them for formal education. We will also support their parents to prevent these children from being pushed into child labour and to improve their quality of life” Said DC.

Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO), Patiala-3, Jaswinder Singh, informed the Deputy Commissioner that a similar initiative during the construction of the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Sports University building had yielded promising results. At the time, 29 children of migrant labourers from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh were given temporary admission and basic education. These children have now returned to their home states and are continuing their formal education. On the same lines, efforts are being made to prepare students of Bamboo Schools for enrollment in regular schools.

District Development Fellow (DDF) Nidhi Malhotra, District Education Officer (Elementary) Shalu Mehra, Secretary of the District Red Cross Society Dr. Pritpal Singh, and teachers of the Bamboo School were also present on the occasion.