Education

What We Do

Education

Every child deserves the best possible start in life and support to fulfill their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child's experiences between birth and five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important for a child. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.

Gram Sathi fully adheres to its "Child Protection Policy" and is committed to providing protection to poor children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence. Our child protection program is focused on the well-being of the poor and neglected children of society.

In 2015-16, we reached more than 4,000 school children in Banka district in Bihar who are neglected, through distribution of uniforms and shoes with the support of Goonj, New Delhi. Under the banner of "Bihar Lok Adhikar Manch", we also took a commitment from parents not to marry their children at a tender age.

Education Program 1
Education Program 2
Education Program 3

Adult Literacy — Project Vidya

As part of its commitment to lifelong learning and community empowerment, Gram Sathi has also worked in the area of adult literacy under Project Vidya, an important adult literacy initiative of the Rotary India Literacy Mission (RILM). The initiative aimed to transform non-literate adults into literate and empowered citizens by equipping them with essential reading, writing, and numeracy skills. The programme recognized that literacy is not only about the ability to read and write but also about enabling individuals to participate more confidently and independently in their daily lives and communities.

Project Reach: Under Project Vidya, Gram Sathi implemented adult literacy interventions in Ranishwar Block of Dumka District, Jharkhand, where 50 Vidya Centres were established to reach non-literate adults from rural communities. These centres provided accessible learning spaces for adult learners who had previously been unable to access formal education.

The initiative followed a community-based approach that encouraged local participation and created opportunities for adults to learn in a supportive and inclusive environment. By bringing literacy closer to the community, Project Vidya helped learners gain confidence and develop the skills required to manage everyday activities more independently. The programme also contributed to enhancing their awareness, participation, and ability to make informed decisions for themselves and their families.

Through initiatives like Project Vidya, Gram Sathi continues to emphasize that education and learning should not be limited by age. Every individual deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop their potential. By promoting literacy and lifelong learning, the organization strives to empower communities and contribute towards a more inclusive, informed, and equitable society.

Project Vidya
"Education is a lifelong opportunity — empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and transforming lives."
Project Pragati

Project Pragati — Empowering Girls and Young Women through Education

Gram Sathi is currently implementing Project Pragati in collaboration with Educate Girls, with the objective of supporting girls and young women who have been deprived of opportunities to complete their secondary education. The project focuses on empowering young women and adolescent girls through education and creating pathways for them to continue their learning journey.

Target Group: Girls and young women in the age group of 14 to 29 years who, due to various social, economic, or personal circumstances, were unable to complete or appear for their Class 10 examinations. Through the project, eligible learners are identified, mobilized, and supported to continue their education and appear for the Class 10 examination through the Bihar Board of Open Schooling and Examination (BBOSE).

Project Location: Project Pragati is being implemented in Pirpainti and Sanhaula Blocks of Bhagalpur District, Bihar. The programme works closely with communities, families, and local stakeholders to identify eligible learners and encourage them to return to education. Through awareness generation, counselling, academic support, and continuous mentoring, the project aims to address barriers that often prevent girls and young women from completing their education.

The initiative recognizes that education plays a critical role in strengthening the confidence, independence, decision-making capacity, and future opportunities of girls and young women. By providing a second chance to complete secondary education, Project Pragati seeks to create opportunities for learners to pursue higher education, vocational training, employment, and other pathways towards social and economic empowerment.

Child Rights & Education — Mainstreaming Out-of-School Children

Gram Sathi is deeply committed to ensuring that every child grows up in a safe, protective, inclusive, and enabling environment. In collaboration with Just Rights for Children (JRC), we work to strengthen child protection systems and address some of the most pressing issues affecting children and adolescents at the grassroots level.

Our Key Areas of Work in Education & Child Rights:

  • Education and Mainstreaming of Dropout Children: Conducting community-level identification of children who have dropped out of school or are not accessing education. Supporting their re-enrolment and integration into formal education systems. Working with parents, schools, and local stakeholders to ensure children continue their education.
  • Identification and Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Children: Identifying vulnerable children, including school dropouts, out-of-school children, children at risk of exploitation, and children requiring care and protection. Supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration through education, counselling, skill development, and linkages with available support services.
  • Adolescent Empowerment and Adolescent Groups: Formation and strengthening of Adolescent Groups to create safe spaces for adolescents. Conducting sessions on child rights, life skills, health and hygiene, gender equality, safety, leadership, and decision-making.
  • Linking Children and Families with Government Schemes: Facilitating access to social security schemes, educational support schemes, health and nutrition services, identity and documentation support, and child protection and welfare services.
  • Prevention of Child Marriage: Creating awareness among children, families, and communities about the harmful impact of child marriage. Under the current intervention in Dumka district, Gram Sathi aims to work across 500 villages, with a target of preventing or stopping 2,000 child marriages.
  • Prevention of Child Trafficking: Identifying children at risk of trafficking, creating awareness, strengthening community vigilance, and facilitating protection and support services for affected children.
  • Protection from Child Sexual Abuse and Online Exploitation: Creating awareness on child safety, prevention of sexual abuse, and promoting responsible and safe use of digital platforms. Under the current programme, the organization aims to identify and support 500 children who have experienced exploitation through online or digital means.

Current Programme Targets: 500 villages across Dumka district | 2,000 child marriages prevented | 600 child marriage follow-ups | 500 Child Welfare and Protection Committees (CWPCs) | 5,000 out-of-school children linked | 10,000 vulnerable families linked with welfare schemes | 30 child trafficking cases followed up | 500 children supported for online exploitation | 1,000 child protection notice boards | 1,000 pledges from faith leaders.

"Every Child Matters — Protecting Childhood, Promoting Rights, Building Futures."