By Avtar Gill

Ferozepur, Dec 21(ANI): Punjab Education Department has started a Residential Bridge Course for underprivileged children in rural areas.

These children mostly belong to families of labourers and migrant workers, who are forced to work to contribute to their family’s income.

Under the Centre’s ‘Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan’, Residential Bridge Course Schools (RCBS) have been opened to ensure that rural kids receive education. The school in Abohar town of Ferozepur district was started in August 2009, and currently has over 60 children.

“The children learn manners and they have developed a good understanding about everything. Now, they know the value of money and how important education is for them. They wish to become teachers, doctors and engineers. They don’t want to become daily wagers like their parents,” said Sunita, in-charge of RBCS hostel.

Besides education, the school provides them will lodging, clothes, food and medicine free of cost. There are a total 20 such schools in the state that provide primary education to the deprived children. The children from these schools will later be admitted to nearby government senior secondary schools. “The place where I was employed, the kids used to go to school. I was also keen to study and achieve something, but the circumstances were not favorable. Now, I have got a chance to study. As my parents were poor, they were not able to send us to school,” said Ajayveer Singh, a student.

Veer, another student, said: “I used to work with a building contractor. After the schoolteacher approached me, I decided to study and I am feeling good here.” The Residential Bridge Course has come as a boon for children who never imagined that they would go to school. And now, the Punjab Education Department is planning to implement this scheme for special children who have dropped out from school. Those children who are mentally retarded and or suffer from multiple-disabilities or have hearing impairment will be taught free in this one-year course. ‘Education brings about a change’ and the Government is trying to ensure that education is provided to all children. (ANI)