School in the First Phase of DSS Intervention

DSS was one of the members of the core team constituted under the aegis of SCERT (State Council for Education, Research & Training) to ensure community participation in School admission campaign launched 1999.

The overall result of this approach has been

1. Nearly 100% enrollment of children (of 5 slum clusters of Vikaspuri) in school going
   age in neighborhood Municipal schools.

2. Reduction in drop out rate from (35-40%) to (10-15%)

3. Relaxation in admission rules in relation to birth certificates etc.

4. Ensuring admission of 2430 children from the newly relocated colony of Hastsal to Govt primary schools. The Govt authorities were denying admission to children.

5. Pressurized the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to improve and upgrade infrastructural facilities in the primary school of Hastsal and appoint more teachers.

6. 12 primary school teachers were appointed after DSS intervention with the State Directorate of education.

7. Preparation and support for the teenage school dropouts for examination under National Open School. 27 youth appeared and cleared Xth and XIIth examinations last year.

The self sustained initiatives of pre-primary education centers and supportive education classes by DSS have also led to new awakening towards education of children among the communities.

Hastsal (resettlement colony) came into existence in year 2001 and the locality was having only one primary school to cater to the limited population of the locality. The population has grown gradually from 1000 families to 4000 families for last 5-6 years. The existing primary school was not suitable for bearing the load of children from newly resettled families. A continues relay of meeting and discussion with the MCD, SCERT, DDA and Slum and JJ Department was initiated by DSS for construction of new school. A long and perpetual liaison work for last 5 years with various stake holders has resulted in building of 1 secondary level government school and 2 Primary level government schools. A regular meeting and dialogue proved fruitful for building of basic facilities like toilet, drinking water, boundary wall etc. for children. The school in tent was converted into Porta-Cabins and DSS is still putting its efforts for construction of 1 building for Primary school and conversion of Porta-cabin school into a Permanent building.

DSS intervention in education helped them to reach out to the community and families and understand their issues closely and involve them. The pre-primary classes were run and managed by women from the slums. This gave them the opportunity to realize their self worth and further organize the women of the slums. The educational initiative of DSS also helped them to bring the adolescent girls on a common platform – Sakhi Saheli club to address their issues. The initial batches of adolescent girls in turn have reached out to younger girls. The adolescent girls started attending vocational training and supportive education classes to improve their livelihoods. Many of these girls have also now become community leaders and are leading the Delhi Shramik Sangathan.