Education is the key to having a dignified life, and schools have a substantial role to play because the children of today will be the adults of tomorrow. The children are the potential torchbearers and a nation’s future depends on them. Therefore, a robust educational infrastructure is fundamental to the growth and development of a country and its citizens.
All children irrespective of their caste, class, religion, gender, ethnicity, and race should get an equal opportunity to learn, study, and grow. India is a vast and diverse country. It is not possible for the government alone to bring all children into the fold of education. 17.7 million children are still out-of-school even today. Many children still don’t have access to schools. Out of the ones who actually get a chance to go to school, some drop-out due to various external reasons.
Even today, in the 21st century, there still remains a huge gender disparity in all fields including education. In many places, girls are still taught and expected to remain inside the four walls of their house, learn how to cook, and told that their only duty is to get married and keep their husbands and in-laws happy. Due to these narrow mindsets of people, girls don’t get access to formal education and are left unaware of their most basic rights.
Education guarantees employability and financial independence. Millions of children are exploited and are forced into evil practices like child labour, sexual abuse, and trafficking. Despite aggressive attempts by the government to make our country a better place for children, India still seeks the support of its civil society.
One of the core aspects of Save the Children’s work is child education. It is reaching out to the underprivileged children from the most marginalized areas and remotest corners of the country. Save the Children’s programmes ensure that the benefits of the Right to Education Act reach the most disadvantaged children. We aim to send all the children, irrespective of who they are to school. We ensure that they get a chance to study, learn, and secure a life of dignity for themselves and eventually give back to their society.
Save the Children is helping spread awareness about the importance of education among the parents and community of underprivileged children. Just education will not bring a massive change, therefore, Save the Children is trying to improve the quality of education in the far-flung corners of the country.
Save the Children has made Children’s Groups (CG) and School Management Committees (SMCs). We work with them to ensure that they take responsibility for the development and growth of the children in their respective communities. They conduct enrolment drives where they locate out-of-school children and encourage them to return into the fold of formal education. We encourage group learning in which children are encouraged to undertake learning activities in groups.
Save the Children is running various programmes for the urban poor children who get trapped in the clutches of child labor and other social problems. We have various centers running for street children, where they can come and learn and get after-school support. The main idea behind these centers is to groom these children and help them get back into formal education.
It is important for the government, corporations, and individuals like you to support NGOs like us. You can do your bit by donating to charities like Save the Children that are relentlessly working on the ground to ensure that all children have equal access to education. Donate now and help in making a difference.
You can also donate online.