Education

The Indian constitution’s ‘Right to Education Act’ guarantees free and compulsory education for all children between the ages of 6 and 14. The RTE act further establishes norms and guidelines ranging from the ‘desired pupil-teacher ratio’ to ‘providing a pupil-friendly environment’. Despite these radical reforms introduced by the recent governments, a significant number of children never get to attend a school or are forced to drop out before completing their education. The overall literacy rate for J&K stands at 67% which is well below the national average of 74%. The statistics get further alarming when we look at the gender disparity in terms of education, especially in rural areas with J&K female literacy rate at 56% compared to 76% for male literacy.

According to social scientists, the main factors that lead to children missing out on school are:

• Personal reasons: losing interest in studies, lack of confidence due to poor academic performance, early marriage, disability, etc.
• Unsuitable learning environment: unsafe infrastructure, poor seating arrangement, unavailability of transport, bullying, non-availability of food, poor teaching, etc.
• Family-related: poverty, forced into employment by parents (could be due to poverty), parents not interested, homelessness, needed for domestic work, etc.

There is still a long way to go to make education accessible to all and to address the social and personal hurdles faced by the children missing out on school. A quality education provided at the right age is vital for developing an individual’s identity and socio-economic personality. A well-educated population is a requisite for a country’s social and economic prosperity.

Road Map

Our organisation won’t only be spreading awareness regarding the importance of education but leading by example when it comes to addressing the hurdles and the challenges faced by children missing out on school, with an emphasis on girl education. We at Humanix believe in making education accessible to all, regardless of their socio-economic status or gender. Our initiatives not only support pupils economically but also ensure the availability of a pupil- friendly learning environment where needed.

Future Plans

Humanix will identify and help institutes that are missing a suitable infrastructure required for easy learning by supplying modern technology such as desktops, projectors, smartboards and even setting up additional classrooms to accommodate more pupils. Schools that are missing essential building services such as ventilation, heating or water supply will be assisted and the required infrastructure made available to make classrooms comfortable for pupils who otherwise might avoid school entirely. Furthermore, we will set-up a funding system that assists underprivileged or specially-abled children to escape the clutches of poverty and child- labour. Besides, we will hold regular workshops and training camps for teachers to ensure the quality of education they impart remains at par with modern standards with a strong emphasis on child welfare.

Programs Undertaken