Education

• SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR THE CHILD LABOURERS: NATIONAL CHILD LABOUR PROGRAMME

  In November 2008, under the National Child Labour Programme (NCLP) implemented by Kamrup Metropolitan District Authority, four non-formal schools were set up in Taltola, Amgaon, Suwali Lukuwa Garobasti and Singimari villages of Chandrapur Development Block, Kamrup district. These special schools, also known as ‘Gyan Setu Kendra’ are meant for children in the age group of 9-14 years, who work as child labourers in different sectors.
  
  Under this programme, these children are provided mid-day meals and free text books in the schools. Regular health check-up camps are also organised for them. A monthly stipend of Rs 150 is given to each child, which is then deposited in the post office. This scheme is designed to empower the child, who can later opt for a formal school. After three years, s/he is eligible to withdraw the accumulated amount to invest in his/her education. Overwhelmingly successful, these schools have seen active participation from members of the community during Independence Day, Republic Day, Children’s Day and Saraswati Puja celebrations organized by the teachers. All four schools have a total strength of 207 students, of which 220 have been successful in securing admission to a formal school.

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  Children with their vocational teacher in one of the NCLP schools in Chandrapur Block
  
  Students of NCLP school in Amgaon

• EDUCATION FOR DEPRIVED CHILDREN:

• Educating children in the backward and remote areas: An ACRD-ASHA Programme ( Stanford Chapter, USA)
  ACRD approached the Stanford Chapter of ‘ASHA for Education’, a voluntary organisation of NRIs in the USA in 2003 for helping the students of Nartap High School and Bonpura Primary School, situated in a remote area of Kamrup district. The ‘ASHA for Education’ Stanford Chapter financially supported ACRD to construct the school building of Bonpura High School. ASHA also gave grants to ACRD to pay salary to the teachers of both the schools until they were taken over by the Government later. Most students studying in these schools are from nearby villages belonging to Karbi and Bodo tribes.
  
  The primary aim of the ACRD-ASHA intervention is not only to improve the quality of teaching, but also for the overall development of every child enrolled in the school. We want these children to be self-reliant, confident and lead a life of dignity after completing school.
  
  Before the intervention, teachers in the schools had grown increasingly frustrated after serving honorary for 10-15 years, with no fixed income. As a result of this, the quality of education was compromised. With financial assistance/support from ASHA, ACRD started paying salary to the teachers. This brought about a drastic change in the schools.

• Bonpura Primary School
  

  ACRD with the support of ASHA for Education intervened in Bonpura Primary School, located in a very backward village of Oujari in Dimoria Development Block, Kamrup district. The school building was in a dilapidated condition, but with financial support from ASHA, ACRD rebuilt the school in 2004. The teachers and the helper of the School were paid salary by ACRD through ASHA for Education till 2013, when the school was taken over by the government. But, one of the teachers and the helper of the school are still paid salary by the ACRD-ASHA as these posts have not been sanctioned by the Government.

  
  

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  Nartap High School:
  

  ACRD with the support of ASHA for Education intervened in Bonpura Primary School, located in a very backward village of Oujari in Dimoria Development Block, Kamrup district. The school building was in a dilapidated condition, but with financial support from ASHA, ACRD rebuilt the school in 2004. The teachers and the helper of the School were paid salary by ACRD through ASHA for Education till 2013, when the school was taken over by the government. But, one of the teachers and the helper of the school are still paid salary by the ACRD-ASHA as these posts have not been sanctioned by the Government.
  

  
  Nartap High School adopted by ASHA for Education
  
  

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  Borkuchi High School:

• In 2016, ACRD adopted a community school, Borkuchi High School situated in Sonapur area of Kamrup Metro district. The school was set up eight years ago since there was no other school in the area and poor students had to commute far to study in other schools. As a result most students would drop out from schools. The local community managed to start a small school to cater to the educational needs of their children in the area. The teachers, all from local areas were teaching in an honorary basis, but poor quality of teaching affected the performance of the students in the Board examinations. With financial support from ASHA for Education, Stanford Chapter, ACRD started paying salary to the teachers and constructed toilets for the students and teachers. Regular parent-teacher meetings are held in the school now and the performance of the school students have also improved in the past year.
  
  

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  Students in Borkuchi High School
  
  
  
  Students in Borkuchi High School
  
  
  
  Inauguration of toilets constucted in Borkuchi High School with financial aid from ASHA for Education (Stanford Chapter, USA)
  
  Toilets constructed by ACRD with financial aid from ASHA for Education (Stanford Chapter, USA)