Send a Child in India to School for a Year
Summary
Seva Mandir’s primary schools in India provide children in disadvantaged tribal areas with access to quality education in an interactive and joyful environment. Children are enabled to join mainstream schools, having become confident, independent learners. With COVID-19 significantly hampering educational opportunities for vulnerable children, the schools ensure decentralized learning so that children remain in the safety net of education.
Challenge
Access to education in these areas is limited (a) because it is often locally unavailable, (b) because of domestic and economic pressures forcing children to work, and (c) because it has traditionally not been accorded value. Nearly half of rural children in our area are out of school, and literacy levels are around just 33%.
Solution
Seva Mandir runs primary schools catering to children from poor tribal families in 583 villages of Rajasthan. The schools operate in rooms donated by, or rented from, villagers. SM involves local communities in the management of its schools and trains local instructors. Our schools equip children with essential skills for coping with the challenges of contemporary life. They learn literacy and numeric skills, hygiene, and creative activities. Visits to city/zoo/library are also undertaken.
Long-Term Impact
Enabling children to read and write independently with comprehension; enabling marginalized tribal communities to experience alternative and meaningful education; empowering communities to demand quality education from the government.