PUDUCHERRY: As many as 37 children, majority of them school drop outs, approached the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) at a public hearing on Wednesday seeking its help to resume their studies for the betterment of their future.
CWC chairperson Dr Vidyaa Ramkumar told Express that 22 children were admitted to short term ITI courses - diplomas in housekeeping, cell phone servicing, etc - run by the Swami Vivekananda Rural Community College.
The public hearing held at Government Observation Home in Ariyankuppam aimed the dropouts, street children, is conducted for the first time by the CWC, she said.
The hearing was conducted with the help of Social workers of Integrated Child Protection Society, Department of Social Welfare and Child Line staff on Wednesday.
The selected children will be accommodated in the courses under the “Punnakai” project of the Police department and will be provided free education during their course period, Dr Vidyaa Ramkumar said.
The CWC provided career counselling, rehabilitation to the needy children, who approached it, she said and added that 6 children sought hostel support, 2 requested sponsorship, 2 medical support and 5 sought Counseling services.
So far the CWC has helped nearly 200 children in providing job oriented training like housekeeping, cell phone servicing and nursing and almost all of them got placements also.
She informed that last year alone 54 children were benefitted by the courses and in addition 66 children, who were school drop outs, were given consoling and motivated them to continue with their studies.
The CWC also addresses issue of children, who approach it with complaints of sexual abuse or assault or harassment, child marriage, rape etc. Following the initiative of the CWC many cases were registered under POCSO Act and the culprits were booked.
The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) is a statutory body appointed as a competent authority for all children in need of care and protection by Juvenile Justice Act.