EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR THE CHILDREN AT A GLANCE

OUR VISION:

Our vision is to transform the lives of women and entire communities of India by educating and empowering the girl child.

OUR MISSION:

Our Mission is to motivate and mobilize non school going children, aged 10-16 years, from socially and economically backward rural and urban West Bengal and put them Education in India is provided by the public sector as well as the private sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: central, state and local. Under various articles of the Indian Constitution, free and compulsory education is provided as a fundamental right to children between the ages of 6 and 14. India has made progress in terms of increasing the primary education attendance rate and expanding literacy to approximately three-quarters of the population in the 7-10 age groups by 2011. India's improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to its economic development.
Pre-primary stage is the foundation of child's knowledge, skills and behaviour. On Completion of pre-primary education child is sent to primary stage. The Indian government lays emphasis on primary education, also referred to as elementary education to children aged 6 to 14 years old. Because education laws are given by the states, duration of primary school visit alters between the Indian states.

The Indian government has also banned child labour in order to ensure that the children do not enter unsafe working conditions. However, both free education and the ban on child labour are difficult to enforce due to economic disparity and social conditions. 80% of all recognised schools at the elementary stage are government run or supported, making it the largest provider of education in the country. Education system in Indian context is very typical. It not only in the Central list but also in the State list also. As you read this, the lives of many girls are being transformed by GRSD Learning Centres in their neighbourhoods. However there are countless others still waiting for the opportunity to study. GRSD also sends regular updates about the progress of the children and their achievements to donors with respect to their allocated schools. We are expanding our activities and setting up Learning Centers in extended areas.

GRSD depends on individual donors to fund almost 40% of our resource requirements. A contribution of any size is welcome and will make a difference! Even better, if you can commit this amount for a period of 5 years — till the girls graduate up to Class X, you would have changed their lives and possibly transformed the lives of people around forever. Please join us in making an impact in the programme. By now age of the girl child is not a factor, "Nothing without education" is our motto. A brief index has given below where the children are being providing free coaching and training in livelihood opportunities.

The Department of Labour, Government of West Bengal, has become the main agent to implement and monitor the NCLPs at the state level on behalf of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. Rehabilitation of the working children (age 9-14 years) through the special schools has become one of the prime components of the NCLP project. To ensure reduction in the number of working children in the state and to maximize school attendance, the NCLP implementing agencies have to fix the timing and duration of the special schools. The schools remain open for six days in a week in general. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, sanctioned five posts of staff members for each NCLP school, viz., two educational instructors, one vocational instructor, one clerk cum accountant and one peon. The schools have to follow the formal curricula. However, the District Child Labour Societies have been allowed the freedom to decide the nature of course content on the basis of ground reality. So, the Project Societies and the implementing agencies have to develop an attractive educational and vocational training module and supply proper educational and vocational teaching materials.

Objective of the Scheme:

• This is the major Central Sector Scheme for the rehabilitation of child labour.

• The Scheme seeks to adopt a sequential approach with focus on rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations & processes in the first instance.

Under the Scheme, survey of child labour engaged in hazardous occupations & processes has been conducted.

• The identified children are to be withdrawn from these occupations & processes and then put into special schools in order to enable them to be mainstreamed into formal schooling system.

• Project Societies at the district level are fully funded for opening up of special schools/Rehabilitation Centres for the rehabilitation of child labour.

The special schools/Rehabilitation Centres provide:

Non-formal/bridge education

Skilled/vocational training

• Mid Day Meal 6 Stipend @ Rs.150/- per child per month.

Health care facilities through a doctor appointed for a group of 20 schools.

Working children in the age group of 9- 14 years will have to be rehabilitated through NCLP schools established by the Project Society. The entire project is required to be implemented through a registered society under the Chairmanship of administrative Lead of the district,

As contained in Article 45 of our Indian Constitution, Education is one of the basic fundamental rights, which envisaged free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years of age, but is unattainable for many children, especially those from the lower income group.

As always Education was and is the main thrust of GRSD being forced by the demand and actual need, we are trying our best to educate each and every bit of society. Age may not be the factor. "Nothing without Education" is our slogan.