The brick kiln owners came forward to support the education of migrant children living in brick kilns in and around Yadadri district. This year around 700 children are identified through a survey conducted by Aide et Action who will be attending worksite schools run by brick kiln owners. The initiative was started as a followup of ‘Operation Smile’ conducted by Rachakonda Police Commissionarate in 2017 to provide education to children who otherwise end up working as labor in brick kilns. After successful demonstration of the Worksite School initiative in 2017, the partnership between Rachakonda Police Commissionerate, District Administration, Aide et Action international and brick kiln owners is growing strong and ensuring education & child care to migrant children.
The initiative has succeeded in making the brick kilns free from child labour. Speaking at the inauguration of a worksite school in Chikati Hamidi, Bommalaramaram Mandal, Mahesh Bhagwat, IPS, Commissioner Rachakonda Police Commissionerate and a well-known crusader for combating human trafficking and who has been bestowed with prestigious national and international award said:” Education can be a game-changer for the disadvantaged children provided they are given a level playing ground”.
He further says, “It was a huge challenge for him and his team to find out a best answer to the problems of rescued child labour from brick kilns. Worksite School was the perfect answer in providing education for interstate children and campaigning for the elimination of child labour in brick kilns. He personally lauded District Collector Yadadri Bhongir Anita Ramchandran IAS & District Collector Rangareddy for their wholehearted support to work site school project and ensuing Mid-day meal scheme & 1 Rs KG Rice project extended for school children & their parents.
Umi Daniel, Director – Migration & Education, Aide et Action South Asia “This is my third year under the leadership of Mr Mahesh Bhagawat. This is a unique model in India. Children are coming all the way from Odisha and studying here. We are ensuring that all these children continue their education back in Odisha after the end of migration season. I appreciate all the owners, especially Rajender Reddy, President – Telangana Brick kiln Owners Association.” “I am very happy that migrant children from Odisha are able to access education in our state. I appreciate Mahesh Bhagawat, IPS for his efforts. As we are providing education to the Odia children, similarly we need to ensure that other states also provide education to children from Telangana. Till date, 2317 children were enrolled in government schools of Telangana.
The district administration came forward to provide mid-day meal and learning kits to all the children on par with the local children. Once the migration season ends, the children are re-integrated into schools in their native villages in Odisha. Aide et Action ensures that all the children continue their education in Odisha. Narayana Reddy, DCP Yadadri, Bhujanga Rao, ACP, Ms Chaitnya Deni, DEO Yadadri District, Sandeep Reddy Elimineti, ZP chairperson Yadadri district, Sudheer Reddy, MPP, Bommalaramarm and other attend this program
