Students at a government-sponsored school in Santoshpur are making jewellery from waste materials.

The idea is to creatively engage the students and keep them away from browsing mobile phones at all times, said Sarbani Sen, the headmistress of the school.

The senior girls of Santoshpur Rishi Aurobindo Balika Vidyapith have attended a workshop and are using pieces of cloth, paper, jute and unused bangles to make jewellery.

Some of them have been so good that teachers have expressed their desire to
buy from them, the headmistress said.

“The girls are creative and we wanted to engage them in doing something that would further enhance their skills,” said Sen.

She said the addiction to mobile phones has been a cause of concern for both teachers and parents.

“When the students are free, all they do is browse the Internet on mobile phones. This type of workshop in school ignites their interest and at home, too, they would like to pursue such activities (such as making jewellery from waste materials). They would want to make new things out of materials they find around them,” said Sen.

All homes have two or three mobile phones and girls and boys look for opportunities to browse them.

Class VIII student Babika Das came back home and searched for pieces of cloth she could use.

“I learnt to make hair bands and neckpieces. I had no idea that we could use small pieces of cloth to make such attractive pieces,” said Babika. “I tried new things at home and wore them.”

Sen said the workshop taught the girls a new skill. “They will improve with practice,” she said.

A teacher said: “Not everyone will be good in academics. Some will excel in vocational
activities, too.”