EDUCATION FOR

UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN

WHAT IS EDUCATION?Education, aptly described as the journey

from darkness to light forms an integral part of any human being.

“The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one”

PURPOSE OF EDUCATIONMeans of sustenance in lifeAsset to the nation’s growthReduces poverty in the nation Helps in abolishing social differences and

economic disparitiesGateway to a bright future

Helps in character buildingProduces young minds to face the world

Encourages creative learningIn short, one cannot deny that Education is a

MUST FOR EVERY PERSON

CURRENT SCENARIOLiteracy Rate(INDIA):67% adults, 82%youthsMen:76.9%, women:54.5%World average literacy rate: 84%Highest no of illiterate population in the worldAt current growth rate; 100% literacy can only

be attained by 2050No of absolute literates:approximatley 300

million

Startling facts:Only 1 in 10 completes tertiary

educationOver 50% drop out in rural areas after

age of 14Only 40% adolescents attend school Over 60% children in rural areas are

unable to do basic arithmetic, reading or writing

Only 1 in 5 job seekers have some sort of educational training

WHY ARE UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN NOT GOING TO SCHOOL?

Poor quality of schools and improper use of government funds:

In a survey of schools;59% had no drinking water and 89% no toilets

Social and economic disparities Failure of mid-day schemes owing to

inferior quality of food and misuse of funds which attracted children in rural areas

Large scale absenteeism among teachersMost teachers found not teaching during

regular time Red tapism, lack of accountability of

fundsChildren more inclined to working in

fields, and earning money for their families

Orthodox mindset of parents especially towards girl education, or due to religious views

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PROVIDE EDUCATION? Creating Awareness among parentsSetting up of e-librariesAffiliation of these e-libraries to

various institutions of repute and recognition from the various secondary boards : i.e. CBSE, ICSE, UGC

a) Creating awareness among parentsThe task of imparting education

becomes even more difficult without the support of the parents. Therefore, the first and foremost step is to create awareness among the parents.

Enlighten them with the importance of education in one’s life

Convince them to send their children to school and not for work

b) Setting up of e-librariesAdvantages:Reduces dependency of students on teachersEliminates various problems that continue to

plague our education systemProvides quality education till the higher

secondary level Boosts their self confidence and esteem

which will put them at par with students of elite institutions

What is the e-library?The proposed plan:Imparting basic knowledge about computers with

the help of qualified professionals or localsProviding intensive training in use of computers

and related technological equipment, thus making them well versed with technology

Equipping these modern multipurpose libraries with computers, projectors and printers

Multi-purpose: Books + computers

Providing books on each and every subject, whereby students can further enhance their knowledge

Facilitating the children with important life skills through talks, videos and various lectures on issues like need of good etiquettes, personal hygiene, etc.

Use of smart class lessons to learn various important concepts like basic arithmetic calculations, conversing in English very essential for use in daily life

c) Affiliation to various institutionsImparting distant learning to these children

and share their courseware with the childrenProviding graduation certificates which are

accredited by the Ministry of EducationConducting regular tests to assess students

both at primary as well as secondary levelOne can even obtain degrees/vocational

training through these libraries

TESTING OF STUDENTS

Creating online accounts for each and every student which ensures transparency in results to a great extent.

Conducting practical examination of students on various social topics like environmental awareness and other social issues like good hygiene, need for community service etc

Scores accumulated over the years serve as benchmark of students performance

ADVANTAGES Promises to eliminate the vast gap in

quality of education between the elite and underprivileged

Focuses on all round development, especially harnessing life skills

Increases interest in learning as use of smart lessons, computers will encourage students to learn

Students get educational qualifications, recognized by the ministry of education

Promises to bridge the large gap between rural and urban institutions in terms of quality education

Reduces dependency on teachers for education

Provides flexibility of learning choices

IMPLEMENTATIONStage 1: Advertising the benefits of a

technologically-driven education among the poor in rural and urban areas. They have to be informed of the tremendous potential such a type of education holds

Stage 2: Procuring of computers, projectors and other equipments for the functioning of the library, to be provided in collaboration with IT companies

Stage 3: Setting up of these e libraries by either procuring land and building them ideally a size to accommodate up to 1000 students at a time..size approximately 7000-10000sq ft. Initially government schools can be upgraded to function as libraries in many areas before the actual ones are built in many places

Places with low population of children, like

the states of Uttaranchal or Himachal Pradesh to be chosen first

Stage 4: Identifying students from BPL families, enrolling them in these libraries and creating an account for each student that tracks the students academic records through the years. Students can even clear more than 1 class in a year if found to have done well in tests and examinations

Stage 5: Teachers recruited to provide teaching in basic computer skills to each and every child so that students can later on learn through the e-learning

Stage 6: Using computational soft wares, and smart class learning aids, students learn their academic curriculum

Stage 7: Life skills like proper hygiene, etiquettes, community service to be provided via learning videos

Stage 8: e-libraries to be linked to the higher educational universities like the IIT’s, NIT’s to aid in educational material and course

Stage 9: Students clearing Class X through these e-libraries to be provided with at least vocational training for 2-3 months to ensure good employment

Students pursuing beyond class XII to be provided with job opportunities

Stage 10: Those pursuing tertiary education can pursue their diplomas/degrees in a distance learning programme

Stage 11: Ensure students passing out of e-libraries are assured of employment

Hence, these libraries to be gradually established in areas of need like Bihar,Chattisgarh,Uttar Pradesh and other backward areas

BUDGET ESTIMATES Let us ideally take the case of a metro city

having large slums like: Delhi & Bombay;There is a huge population below poverty

line, not able to have access to means for study & proper growth

A detailed case study done working out the requirement for setting up libraries including tentative cost to be incurred on initial set up & monthly running is shown.

ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERSHigh cost of such a project has to be borne

by public-private partnershipMajor educational institutions will be

assisting in the academic materialsIT companies to provide computers,

projectors and other materials at lower ratesEmphasis will be on low cost equipments

which are still under research ie:PCs being developed at around Rs 5-6k

Cooperation from the parents to allow their children to be enrolled in e-libraries

Various rural level bodies like gram panchayats or even municipal corporations in cities to assist in funding

Major cost (incl. providing land) still to be borne by government who has to subsidize as much as possible

THANK YOUBY: Ishaan GoelParidhi NathAyushri BhargavaMentor: Ms Sonia Jain

D.P.S- SEC-45 GURGAON