From Child Labour to College: Support Her Future

The project has reported back on progress for the second half of the year’s activities. The team reported good progress. Below are some bullet point highlights from the report. We will continue to put up project progress in its respective areas over the coming weeks.

• The team worked with teachers, school management committees and local government through training and consultancy to bring local failing schools up to new standards established by the Indian Right to Education Act. The project succeeded in taking 8 failing schools into grade A standard as set out by the Indian Right to Education Act.
• The project started the school year with an enrollment campaign in the villages. Posters were put up reminding parents to enroll their children. Village level meetings with 705 participants were held to publicize the importance of childhood education. Rallies highlighting the cause of education were held through the village districts. 740 letters were written to parents reminding them to send their children to school.
• Education material was given to 732 children who were starting school for the first time. Celebrations were also arranged for their first day at class. These activities reduce children’s fears of going to school making it more likely they will stay.
• A survey of reading standards in the villages was carried out to identify those who are behind. 402 children were chosen for the project’s reading improvement programme on the basis of the survey.       
• The team supplied 288 of the poorest children with school bags, stationary and notebooks. Games material was given to the 36 participating schools.
• The team facilitated 53 child parliament meetings to help children develop leadership abilities. Topics such as the organization of the schools cultural programme as well as personal hygiene were discussed.   
• The local financial contribution to the project increased from £12,606 last year to £21,600 this year. This shows increased support for the project amidst the parents of the beneficiary children.