The Ahmedabad Traffic Police launched an initiative to help and educate street children of the city. Named as ‘Police Pathshala’, the programmed is targeted towards children who are unable to get any formal education because of lack of financial support and have to do odd jobs for livelihood. Not only free education, but traffic cops also provide free meals and transportation to these children. Having started the initiative around a year and a half ago, the police has been imparting education to almost 200 children from the city.
Talking about the initiative to ANI, Ahmedabad Traffic DCP Ankit Patel said that the key motive behind starting the ‘Police Pathshala’ was to ensure the street children get a good life. Patel said, “We wanted to bring change in the lives of these kids. Kids living on footpaths often get involved in criminal activities so we thought to educate them for a better life.” After being provided basic education at the ‘Police Pathshala’, the children will be enrolled into regular schools, he added.
As part of the ‘Police Pathshala’ initiative, the Ahmedabad Traffic Police is currently running three education centres in the city. Pakwan Area Traffic Police Chowki, Danilimda Traffic Police Chowki and Kankaria Police Chowki are the three chowkis where this system is being carried out. Besides, the police have roped in cycle rickshaws to help students commute to the Pathshala. Food will be free of cost and will be provided during lunch hours plus snacks.