As a housewife, there were countless occasions when I paused in whatever that I was busy with and wondered, “Isn’t there something else worthwhile that I can do with my time? My children have grown up and lead their own lives. So then, where do I invest my energy and time?”
‘Seeing every child in school and learning well’ is a dream close to my heart. It pains me every time I see children who should be in school, roaming around. How often I have wished I had some qualities of a Pied Piper who could lead them to a nearby school!
When I saw an opportunity to volunteer for the Every Child Counts (ECC) Citizens’ campaign, I just knew I had to be a part of it. The campaign is working towards the common goal of admitting all 6-7 year old children in Pune in a PMC school near their home. These children are mainly from poor families who form the bulk of migrant laborers that move from one location to another in search of livelihood.
At the meeting held every Saturday for all the new volunteers, I was impressed with the total commitment and enthusiasm of the other volunteers. I was happy to be told that volunteers have flexible timings; in fact we ourselves have to decide the area and how many hours a week we can work for this campaign. We also have to choose the type of work we are interested in so that we naturally contribute our skills to the campaign.
The work is broadly divided into three steps: surveying sites to identify children; admitting them to PMC schools in their vicinity; and doing a follow-up to find the retention in schools. I was a little hesitant but decided to get to know the basics and so decided to accompany another ECC worker for a survey on a construction site the next day. I was gently advised to wear comfortable walking shoes!
The site supervisor had given us the required permission to meet the children in the labor camp. We wore helmets and accompanied him going past partially completed buildings. We walked by mounds of rubble and deep pits to reach a clearing with a number of huts arranged in rows. This was the labor camp. At a glance it seemed deserted but as we stood there and explained our work to the supervisor, curious eyes started peering at us. A few other workers stopped their work to find out what business we had in their territory! In the meantime, one person was sent with a message to the labor camp. Before I could ask ‘Are there any children living here?’ there was a sudden outpouring of little feet and a 50 metre dash to reach us!
There were 37 children of ages ranging from a few months to young teenagers. I was so shocked that I had no words. Statistical data translated into reality made an unbelievable scene! We took down the details of all the children over six years. They were asked if they would like to go to school. Some of the younger ones jumped up with excitement; the older ones who had some idea of a school they had attended long, long, ago were more subdued in their response. ‘Oh school! Very difficult to go and come!’ was the general refrain of the adults who had also gathered there. ‘The older siblings have to look after the younger ones and girls also have to look after the home!’
I soon realized there is very little awareness about the importance of education and its long term benefits. Their immediate requirement of food and shelter overrides all other possibilities and opportunities for their children. Also the constant change in their environment – new surroundings, new language, new challenges in their day-to-day life makes them very apprehensive of sending their children to school. I also learnt that counseling parents is the most important intermediate step between identifying and admitting a child in school. The best results are obtained when the parents are strongly motivated to educate their children. Obstacles of any shape and size are then overcome easily.
As the number of children was quite large, a school preparation camp was conducted to facilitate their entry into school life. A teacher was appointed and classes were conducted regularly in April and May. Unfortunately we could not interact with the parents on a daily basis as they would be at work.We sometimes stayed back or came early to meet the parents and convince them to send their children to school.
By mid-June 2012, these children had learned to sit in one place and write the Marathi alphabet. They were in short, ready for school and were admitted in a PMC school near their home. Today, some attend school regularly but many are unable to attend due to lack of transport or a suitable escort to take them to school. As the construction sites are far away from the main road, going by bus for 6-year-olds is not a practical option. Also, as their parents are busy earning their daily bread, nobody is available at home to ensure they go to school. In many cases ECC workers have arranged for their school transport along with an escort.
The ECC campaign has benefitted many such children. This is just the first step. We have a long way to go to not only ensure all children go to school,but also are retained there.
If you share the dream of seeing every child in school and can spare 3-4 hours a week, please do come forward and lend your might to this campaign. Whether it is in the field collecting data, admitting children in schools, following up, counseling parents, or helping in administration, research, compiling data, making teaching aids etc. your skills are most welcome.
Just getting out of my comfort zone and going into the field has given me the satisfaction of helping at least some children go to school. Their smiles are rewards in themselves and have acted as an impetus for further involvement in the campaign – wanting to reach out to more out-of-school children.
We have a daunting task before us because we know each and every child counts! Join this campaign and surprise yourself with your own achievements! That is a promise for now.
