Debate competition on early marriage held in Sikkim

Namchi, October 29, 2013

To bring about awareness in the adolescent students regarding the negative health impact of early marriage, Health Department Namchi District Hospital had organized a debate competition program today in the conference hall of the district hospital.

The topic for the debate was “Early Marriage- the main reason for School Dropout”, participated by students of class XII girls of Government Girls Senior Secondary School Namchi who argued against the topic and boys of Government Senior Secondary School Namchi debated in favour of the topic.

Early marriage problem is a bugging concern faced in most schools today said Mrs Archana Gurung Principal of Government Girls Senior Secondary School speaking as the chief guest.

Referring to the students Mrs Gurung said each of them is the investment of the state government and even one drop out is a loss for the government and they should channelize their budding energy into positive activities to avoid indulging in negative actions.

Commending the views and issues discussed by the students in the contest, the Principal said that issues which are considered tabooed in the society were discussed in the contest which is the main concerning issues for the teenagers.

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Terming the student participants as ambassadors of all the students since they have witnessed and participated in the program she requested them to spread the message to their fellow students regarding the unconstructive consequences of early marriage and dropouts. There is no significant rate for the dropout of boys and girls but its similar however the reasons differ for both genders said the chief guest. Adolescence is a confused phase when students tend to act on impulse which should not be done so said the Principal and advised them to seek counsel on important matters from their teachers, elders or parents to solve their dilemma.

She thanked the health department for arranging this program and asked them to conduct similar programs in the schools for the benefit of the students.

Dr Bimal Rai CMO South Namchi District Hospital remarked that this contest has been organized mainly to assess the perception of the students on the issue of early marriage and school dropout. He lauded the efforts of the students in presenting their views and opinions on the topic which he said was impressive.

He further said that the objective is also to involve the students of adolescence age in this type of activity to bring about awareness in them. “Discussing the harmful effects of early marriage and school dropout in depth will go on to change the norm of the society and many negative social issues can be reduced,” said Dr Rai.

Presenting his views on early marriage, he said that early marriage led to number of maternal and infant deaths and catching of harmful diseases like HIV, STDs in the youngsters. He informed that this is the first time in the district hospital that this type of program is held and that main objective is to bring about bad health impact that early marriages will have on the youngsters especially the girls.

Girls of Government Girls Senior Secondary School Namchi was declared the winner of the debate competition while the boys of Government Senior Secondary School Namchi became the runners up. They received trophies from the chief guest and Mahesh Rai received the trophy for best speaker amongst the participants.

The contest was judged by Dr Ugen Sherpa DNO, Dr Junita Yonzon DRCHO South and BK Pradhan Deputy Secretary Health Department Namchi.

The program was also addressed by Passang Bhutia, President of Drishti NGO. Others present were vice principal Girls School Mrs Basanti Sharma, Teacher Senior Secondary School NT Lepcha, Mrs CR Pradhan Deputy Director IEC Cell, staffs of IEC Cell and ASHA members.