Residential Bridge Schools, Raichur, Karnataka

Region Demographics

•  Raichur is a backward district with a high degree of child labor. Families belong to SC/ ST communities with marginal land holdings
•  Children are employed for hand pollinating cotton seeds and start working as early as 6 years old and are constantly exposed to pesticides and fertilizers

Project Description

ILP is working with Janachetana in Raichur district to ensure that all working children are in school by the year 2007- the target set by the state to eradicate child labor.
•  For the year 2006-07, the plan is to target 100 children from 40 villages of Raichur district.
•  The residential bridge program is a short-term intervention program for "out of school" children with a definite focus on preparing children with the necessary competencies for enrollment to schools
•  To ensure that children continue to go to school after enrollment, children from extremely poor homes are admitted to government hostels to address their basic needs of food, uniforms and shelter

Project Roadmap

•  100 children in the residential bridge center will be provided necessary competencies for 6 months to enroll them in mainstream schools in the next academic year.
•  300 children of the previous batches will be followed up for school retention
•  Strengthening of School Development & Monitoring Committees and SHGs and gram Panchayat members in the education system

Financials

2007 Funding: $16,501

Accomplishments

•  280 children were mainstreamed to government schools through bridge centers and 200 were admitted to non-formal education centers
•  Ensured retention in middle/high schools through ILP scholarships. 25 scholarships awarded in 2006
•  Conducted special coaching classes at 3 schools for 10th class students to achieve an 85% pass percentage