Students of a city school went on a tram to raise awareness about child labour and the need to educate the girl child.
The students of Classes VII and VIII of Loreto Day School Dharamtala took a tram ride from Esplanade to Ballygunge on Friday carrying posters they made.
Through the posters, the girls depicted how education makes a difference in the life of children.
Education opens up avenues for girls while child labour takes away those opportunities for them, said a student.
“I had seen a 12-year-old girl working in my relatives’ house. I had asked my parents to speak to them and put her in a government school instead of employing her. They did so,” said Divya Thosani, a Class VIII student, who participated in the ride.
If people want they can try and bring a change, she added.
“The students took a route where there are children working in motor part shops and tea stalls,” said Tania Chakraborty, a teacher at the school.
It is important to involve students in raising awareness in a society where it is not uncommon to see children work in shops or in people’s homes.
“Our foundress Mary Ward’s vision included empowering and educating the girl child. We teach our children to care for others. Mary Ward said: ‘Women in time to come will do much’. 400 years later since Mary Ward’s time, women have truly shown that they can do much. We also try to inspire our children by telling them that each one should in their own time also try and do much,” said principal Meenakshi Kapur, who flagged off the ride.
The school celebrates the life Mary Ward from January 23 to 30. She was born on January 23, 1585 and passed away on January 30, 1645.
“We want to help our children evolve as a person for others which is an accordance with Mary Ward’s values,” said Kapur