Importance of being kid graduates

Rajahmundry, June 16 (UNI) Fully decked up, they were all set to receive their 'degree'...Only they were no graduates and a long way to go before venturing into the competitive world with right qualifications.

If this sounds a trifle discordant, it is not. Rapaka in East Godavari District has the honour of hosting a convocation ceremony for little graduates who cleared the fifth standard examinations under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA).

The convocation ceremony is a sweetner for those who dropped out after the fifth standard to continue with their education, SSA Additional Project Coordinator told UNI here yesterday.

The fact that 20,000 students stopped with fifth standard made the officials do some out-of-the-box thinking. And they felt there could be no better way than conferring degrees even before the students could earn them.

SSA State Observor Satyanarayanana Raju and a host of teachers and volunteers applauded as the young 'men' and 'women' received the degree certificates with pride in their hearts.

Mr Murthy said self-help groups involved in community school minotoring system had been spreading awareness on the need to send children to school. By August 15, the East District will be declared 'Child Labour Free District.' UNI BAK DH RAI0428