more-in All 23 former child labourers who were put into mainstream education after being identified by the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) at different stages have cleared the SSLC examination in Tiruchi district. Among them, four have come out with flying colours by securing over 80 % marks and 10 of them have scored over 60 % marks. The NCLP had brought about a transformation in the lives of these children who were employed in various trade and vocations including weaving, goat rearing, household work and other jobs. Among these former child labourers, S. Santhosh Ragul, who is now studying in Sowdambika Matric Higher Secondary School, Thuraiyur, has scored 448 marks, much to the joy of his father, G. Siva. Santhosh was forced to go for work in a weaving unit at a young age due to poverty and “family problems.” After being identified by NCLP officials, he was later main-streamed in the regular school. His father, who had separated from his wife, managed to find a job as an assistant with a private medical practitioner. Siva had previously been a weaver himself but had to look for other jobs as the handloom units suffered a slump due to poor demand. “There was a break in his studies due to family issues. But I am now supporting his studies with my modest income and the support of well wishers,”said Mr. Siva. Santhosh wants to study medicine and his father is now confident that he would be able to raise the resources to see his son’s wish fulfilled. Another former child labourer, V. Kanagavalli, studying at Government High School, Arangoor, has scored 416 marks. Two other former child labourers, M. Surya of Woraiyur in Tiruchi, and S. Sowmiya of Keerikalmedu have scored 406 and 402 marks respectively.

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