SINGAPORE, TORONTO, HONG KONG and DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 12, 2017 /CNW/ - Marthal dropped out of school when she was in the eighth standard, owing not only to extremely poor infrastructural facilities but also terrible verbal abuse by the teachers. What's more, the school did not even have a single proper, safe and hygienic toilet for the girls. Neither did it have water facilities. Added to that, Marthal was regularly mocked by her teachers for being a slum dweller. It was at this point in time that Slum Children Sports Talents Education Development Society (SCSTEDS), a grassroots level organization supported by CRY - Child Rights and You, spotted her and intervened in the situation.
When the project staff of SCSTEDS noticed that Marthal had stopped going to school, they immediately started motivating her to continue her education. And they did not stop at that. Regular counselling of her parents made sure that they support her in her quest. The organisation also initiated a dialogue with the school authorities in order to put things in place. The teachers were sensitised through regular awareness and capacity building programmes. Infrastructural facilities were sanctioned through intensive advocacy efforts.
With constant encouragement from the team, her peers and her family, Marthal has not just passed her Higher Secondary Examinations but has also cleared prelims for IAS exams. She is now preparing to give the mains, while at the same time pursuing her Bachelors in Commerce.
Drop-out rates of girl children shoot up after primary education, up to which the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act applies. The net enrolment ratio for girl children dips from 88.7 per cent at primary to 51.93 at secondary and to a dismal 32.6 per cent at higher secondary.[1] Roughly one in every 5 girls enrolled dropout on an average after class 8.[2]
Puja Marwaha, CEO, Child Rights and You, says, "Less than one-third of the population of girl children in India finish their education age appropriately. There are close to 9 million[3] child brides in India. Empowering such children is a way to empower the country. Marthal's case is one example where one can see the change that is ensued when girl children are given access to education."
Your support to the CRY will help ensure girls have access to schools and finish their schooling. Know more at http://www.cry.org.
[1] U-DISE 2015-2016
[2] U-DISE 2014-2015
[3] Census 2011
SOURCE CRY
Susan Varghese, [email protected]
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