Nedumbassery: Migrant children enrolled in school

Kochi: In a significant intervention to ensure equality in education, Nedumbassery panchayat has come forward to assist children of migrant workers who are unable to attend school due to insufficient documentation. With the help of the women and child development (WCD) department, panchayat officials have successfully enrolled four migrant children in local schools.The issue came to light when ward member Joby Jose noticed that children from some families of daily wage labourers from Assam were not attending school. The matter was then discussed among panchayat officials and WCD department. "The children were unable to attend school as they didn't have birth certificates. Later, the missing documents were arranged, and discussions were held with school management to admit them," said Jose.Two children were admitted to Class II at LP School, Thuruttissery, while two were admitted to Class VI at MAHS School, Nedumbassery."We took it as our duty to educate the children irrespective of their nativity. We would continue to assist those from marginalized sections of society in whatever way it is possible," said municipality vice-chairman Sobha Bharathan.The children will only be able to attend classes from Sept 23 due to ongoing examinations. Panchayat officials have also provided study materials, including bags and uniforms, through donations from individuals.