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Kanpur sees an influx of migrant laborers who come to work at brick kilns and construction sites. Children of these laborers get left behind in the education system. Jagriti realized these children need access to free education, in a non-formal and hands-on way to make it interesting and understandable. Thus was born the Apna Skool, literally, 'our school'.
Kanpur sees an influx of migrant laborers who come to work at brick kilns and construction sites. Children of these laborers get left behind in the education system. Jagriti realized these children access to free education, in a non-formal and hands-on way to make it interesting and understandable. Thus was born the Apna Skool, literally, 'our school'. Apna Skools are set up at a brick kiln or construction site - the school comes to the children, not the other way around. The venue stays the same year after year so that the laborers can rely on bringing their children back to the same setting every time they come to Kanpur. Jagriti believes that providing education alone is not enough, and that good health is required for the overall well-being of a child. Both are integrated in the Apna Skool program. Children learn artithmetic using pebbles, stones and leaves. They play games and listen to stories and songs, not renditions of boring textbooks. They learn to improve their day-to-day vocabulary, rather than being taught the alphabet and so on. There are also mobile libraries where children have access to books, videos and other educational material. Children also get nutritious snacks during the day, uniforms, winter clothes, and of course, educational materials. Both parents and children learn about health and hygiene. In addition, Jagriti provides basic health care to mothers and children, and organizes health and immunization camps for the children and their parents. Apna Skool has been able to help Kanpur's migrant laborers understand how important it is for their children to have continuity in their education. The laborers promise to return to the same brick kiln or construction site every year so that their children may continue education at the same Apna Skool every year. Jagriti has a long association with AID, starting with the initiative to work with school children of construction laborers on IITK campus in 1997. The Apna Skool program is supported by AID's Portland chapter. Sree Ganesan is an engineer, and volunteers for AID in Boston. |
