In light of the multifaceted challenges faced by families striving to fulfil their responsibilities for their children, particularly in the realms of nutrition and education, a rigorous workshop was organised by the Kushaal Bachpan programme in selected villages of Madhya Pradesh. The objective was to empower parents by addressing issues stemming from a lack of awareness about well-being of children and bridging the communication gap between parents and their children. Recognising that familial duties often occupy parents’ attention, the workshop aimed to address the unintended consequences, such as a decline in school attendance due to factors like inadequate nutrition and a lack of emphasis on education. Moreover, it sought to overcome the hurdle posed by parents’ own lack of awareness, hindering effective communication about the importance of education.

The workshop’s primary goal was to enhance parental awareness regarding critical aspects of children’s nutrition and education. To achieve this, a series of interactive activities were conducted, including the creation of a nutrition chart, and participation in a nutrition-focused game to underscore the importance of food enriched with nourishment readily available in our kitchens. Parents were also engaged in crafting activities to emphasize the value and significance of education for children. A balloon game was also played to guide parents in selecting reputable schools for their children.

Discussions during the workshop brought to light a noticeable lack of information among parents about children’s rights. Essential rights, such as the Right to Education, Right to Eat, Right to Life, and Right to Security, were introduced to enlighten parents about their children’s entitlements.

Various pertinent issues were explored, such as parental responsibilities and the tendency to attribute blame to children for non-attendance, which adversely impacts their mental health. Parents were reminded of their pivotal role in shaping their children’s behaviour, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to ensure the well-being and education of the younger generation.

The workshop successfully engaged parents from three villages – Chamarabegada, Bhanpur, and Vanjabyda – with a total attendance of 117 parents. To carry forward the discussion on child-related issues in the future, plans to conduct monthly meetings were developed.
Parents expressed their commitment to attending workshops focusing on child protection and rights, with an emphasis on encouraging them to involve other parents, especially those whose children do not attend school regularly. “The workshop was a very good initiative. From now on, we will also hold a meeting with the parents every month and we will discuss the issues related to the children and inform them about the progress of their child, said Mrs. Champa Mandloi, a secondary school teacher at the Chhoti Khattali attending the parents’ workshop.

Despite initial challenges, particularly parents’ disinterest in attending meetings due to daily work commitments, the integration of engaging activities proved to be an effective strategy to capture parental interest and foster active participation.

The workshop underscored that children and parents respond favourably to engaging activities over traditional discussions. As part of the ongoing initiative, monthly meetings will persist, allowing academic mentors to discuss children’s progress with parents and maintain a continuous dialogue to promote sustained engagement and awareness. Mrs. Sunita Kanesh, a parent in village Bhanpur, said, “In our villages, the children are admitted to schools for registration, but it does not matter to some parents whether their child goes to school every day or not. With guidance from this training, all of us women will try to encourage other mothers to send their children to school every day and whenever there is a meeting, we will definitely attend it for the children and will convince other parents along with us.”

These interactions are set to encompass all villages. This workshop served as an introductory session, paving the way for a series of structured interactions scheduled over the next few months. These forthcoming sessions will delve into more specific and focused topics, offering participants a deeper understanding and engagement on various subjects of importance. The aim is to create a comprehensive and impactful dialogue that addresses the diverse needs and interests across the community, fostering a collaborative and informed approach.