Rodrigues to inauguate Training Centre for street children on Oct 27

Chandigarh, Oct 23 (UNI) To empower street children and ensure their rehabilitation, Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Union Territory Administrator, General (Retd.) S F Rodrigues, will dedicate to people the much-awaited Vocational Training Centre at Maloya on October 27.

The Centre has been set up by the Chandigarh Administration on 4.5 acres of land at Maloya in the union territory.

It has administrative-cum-educational block, vocational training block, three residential blocks, library-cum-recreational hall, music room, computer training center, medical units, gymnasium and play ground.

Out of the three residential blocks, two blocks are meant for boys and one for girl inmates. Each residential block with facilities of kitchen, dinning hall etc. would accommodate 300 inmates. Special arrangements have been planned for handicapped persons at ground floor.

Street children have been identified for admission to the Centre.

About 250 street children between the age group of 5 to 18 years have been admitted in the first phase, according to official sources.

Any child between the age group of 5 to 18 years who require care and protection due to any reasons, those referred by the Child Welfare Committee, run away children or any child who works on the streets or children displaced due to natural disasters, orphans, handicapped or children having the impact of HIV/AIDS on the family are eligible for taking admission in the centre.

The major objective of the vocational training centre is to enhance the sense of self worth, security and open employment avenues to these children by providing education, training and skill development in various trades in collaboration with Department of Technical Education, Chandigarh.

For overall personality development of these children facility of games like volleyball, basketball, badminton etc. will be made available to them in collaboration with the Sports Department.

For developing the inherent talent of the children in cultural activities, a tie up would be made with the North Zone Cultural Centre. Besides, proper medical facility would be provided to the children in the campus.

Nutritious diet would be provided to the children and the menu prepared with the help of nutritional experts or doctors.

The children have been categorized as per the age groups. The school going children would put in the nearby schools.

Special courses would be organized for children in the age group of 11 to 15 years for imparting information and knowledge through special curriculum, so that in the next two years time, they are brought to the level of 8th and 9th standard.

During the day time they would pursue their respective training courses and in the evening educational classes will be organized for them so that they could be inducted into formal system of education and they pass out their 10th and 12th examination with private students.

The Chandigarh Administration is planning to provide a stipend of Rs 1000-1500 to the inmates of the Centre.

UNI VKJ MMS1846