Pathanamthitta District has excelled in many areas with the lowest infant
mortality and the highest life expectancy. The district is at par with the
world standard in the areas such as high rate of literacy, Human
Development Index and lowest school drop-outs. Despite these high level
achievements, our children are facing innumerable issues in schools,
public places and even at homes. They are exposed to abuse and
exploitation that hinder their personal growth and learning outcome. They
have to adjust repeatedly to the changing surroundings and cope-up with
the pressure of school studies, increasing competitions, tension of social
relations with peer groups and elders. All these are serious challenges and
threats to their mental health
In the present scenario, it is inevitable to explore new alternatives to tackle
these issues. ‘Santhwanam’, the Comprehensive Health and Education
Development Project which aims at the overall development of children
from 0 to 18 years of age, is a great venture of Pathanamthitta District
Panchayat. The project has been
trying to root its multifaceted activities such as Empowerment Programme
for teachers, parents and students, Community outreach and extension,
Clinical support, Counselling and guidance, Adaptations (Acadamic and
Vocational) for Children with Special Needs, Research, Publication of
books and journals, Online Support System etc. in collaboration with
various Government Departments like General Education, DIET, Health,
Social Justice, Police, Excise, Narcotics and other agencies like Child
Development Centre (CDC), Thiruvananthapuram, Arogyakeralam (NRHM)
and Sarva Siksha Abhyan, Pathanamthitta. Santhwanam Project has developed greater faith in the community. So,
what‘s next? How can we go further keeping up the aspirations of the new
generation? What are the activities to be undertaken? How can we tackle
the emerging challenges? What are our short term and long term
strategies for addresing the issues pertaining to our children? The National Seminar organised by the District Panchayat Pathanamthitta
seeks to examine these issues in a broader context with a multiple
perspective.
