Nai Asha Nai Disha -

Educational Program School Dropout Children:

 

The issue of out-of-school children in India is both serious and widespread. These are children who either cannot attend school, have dropped out, or have not completed their education. This situation negatively impacts their development and dims their future prospects. There are several reasons for this problem, such as poverty, gender discrimination, lack of educational facilities, and migration.

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From our experience working in the field, we have also observed other contributing factors. Many children have a weak educational foundation, and the existing education system and curriculum often fail to resonate with their real-life experiences, particularly in tribal communities. Moreover, children from certain marginalized communities often face mistreatment at school, which fosters a sense of frustration and fear toward education. As a result, it becomes difficult for these children to stay in the mainstream education system.

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To address this, we are using the concept of "Mukt Shala" (Open School) to reintegrate children aged 14 and above, especially girls, into the education system. The flexibility of the Mukt Shala approach allows children who have struggled to remain in regular schooling to thrive in a more adaptable learning environment. In the last two years, we have successfully brought over 100 adolescents, including 50% girls, back into education. This has enabled them to complete their 10th and 12th-grade studies, opening up new livelihood opportunities for them.