Meet Deepa, a resilient and determined young girl from the Kondh Tribal community in the district of Kandhamal. Born to daily wage worker parents, she faced financial instability but had an unwavering desire for education. Although she had to drop out of school, Deepa charted a new course through an Open School to continue her education.
Along this challenging journey, she found hope, strength, and invaluable guidance from Bal Raksha Bharat (also known as Save the Children ). Thanks to their support, she obtained the education she rightfully deserved and became the President of the Block Level Girls Federation. Today, Deepa is a fervent advocate for Child Rights and Protection. She is determined to enhance girls’ education in her community.
Deepa’s inspiring journey instils hope in countless young children, encouraging them to persevere on the path of education. Additionally, her story motivates people to donate for child education and support NGOs working to help children like Deepa.
If you share a passion for children education and wish to learn more about initiatives supporting this cause, let’s delve into how NGOs like Bal Raksha Bharat aid children and explore ways you can contribute to their meaningful efforts.
Critical Pillars for Building a Solid Foundation for Children Education
Education is an essential tool that empowers individuals to shape their destinies and equips them with the knowledge and skills to survive in the world. Thus, building a solid foundation for children’s education is vital to shaping the future of individuals and society.
Several key pillars play an important role in creating an inclusive learning environment where children can thrive, enabling them to reach their full potential and become lifelong learners.
Let’s discuss the three essential pillars of Bal Raksha Bharat’s strategy for children education:
Early Childhood Care and Education
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) lays the cornerstone for children’s learning journey. According to studies, 80% of children’s cumulative brain development occurs before age 6. This highlights the importance of providing appropriate care and stimulation to children during their early development years to allow their brains to develop fully.
Thus, investing in ECCE is the right choice as it helps unlock the potential for all young children to access quality education before age 6, enabling them to actively engage and thrive in the educational system throughout their lives.
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
Foundational literacy and numeracy are critical prerequisites for future academic pursuits and lifelong learning for children. The ability to read, write, and grasp basic numerical concepts forms the bedrock upon which all educational achievements rest.
Recognising the importance of this phase, where children from ages 3 to 8 years need special attention, Bal Raksha Bharat supports children in the Anganwadi Centres to develop school-readiness skills for a smooth transition to primary education. For children aged 6 to 8, Bal Raksha Bharat collaborates with schools to strengthen their foundational capabilities, ensuring that all children receive the necessary tools to excel in their educational journey.
Inclusive Learning Environment
Schools serve as the first step towards building a fair and just world. Children need to grow in a safe and inclusive school environment for them to grow into adults who work towards bridging the gaps of inequality. Bal Raksha Bharat is dedicated to implementing programmatic interventions that cultivate an inclusive and equitable learning environment where children can flourish and are provided with the opportunity to learn.
These key pillars set the foundation for Bal Raksha Bharat’s work towards children education in marginalised communities. Their efforts go towards fulfilling the vision that children, no matter where they come from, have equal access to education and a brighter future.
Take Action
Many children like Deepa aspire to break free from the constraints of their unfortunate circumstances and build a brighter future for themselves. Education is one tool that can transcend societal barriers, bridging gaps between different strata and classes, allowing these young minds to create a better future for themselves and their communities.
Government agencies and NGOs like Bal Raksha Bharat are both working to bridge this divide and ensure that education reaches the underserved areas of the nation. You, too, can support their efforts by donating for child education, volunteering with the NGO, or just creating awareness around the issues surrounding children education. Even your smallest efforts can go a long way in ensuring children get equal opportunities to create a better reality for themselves.
