Hyderabad, Jan 30 (TNT) : Padma Shri awardee and child rights activist Shanta Sinha on Thursday night said that any child who is not part of the formal education system must be considered a child labourer, calling it a serious failure of society and governance.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the 36th Annual Day Cultural Meet of Sister Nivedita School held at Shilpakala Vedika here, she said parental responsibility does not end with school admission. “Children are the most valuable asset of any family.
Safeguarding their childhood and ensuring their holistic development is a shared responsibility,” she said.
Shanta Sinha warned parents against excessive exposure of children to mobile phones and digital devices, stating that unrestricted access—both at home and in schools—can adversely affect mental health and creativity.
She stressed that childhood must be preserved in its true spirit, allowing children to grow in a free, open, and supportive environment rooted in real-life experiences.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. W. G. Prasanna Kumar, Honourable President of the National Environmental Education Academic Network, described schooling as a joyful and transformative journey.
He urged parents to spend quality time with their children and emphasised the importance of introducing nature and environmental awareness at an early age.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Sudhakar Rao Polsani, Chairman of Sister Nivedita School, thanked the Founder Chairman Dr. Velchala Kondala Rao for his guidance and support, and credited the institution’s academic success to the commitment of its faculty.
Dr. T. Lalitha, Principal, presented the annual progress report highlighting students’ achievements in academics and co-curricular activities.
TNT TS
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