EDUCATION FOR THE CHILDREN OF

ECONOMICALLY & SOCIALLY BACKWARD RURAL COMMUNITIES

Inequality and Lack of quality

In India those who are educated benefit the most out of the system and profit from concessions from the political, economic and social structures. Even though the Indian Government has established many educational programmes including compulsory education until high school, the status of children, especially from socially oppressed communities and rural poor families, remains unchanged in large parts of the country. This is because educational inequality is a major reality in India, therefore all the sections of society are not given equal opportunity to education. Bureaucrats, and many educated elite in society do not want the poor and oppressed to challenge their status and position within society. The villages therefore do not have good schools or colleges for the children. Most rural schools  lack even basic infrastructure like furniture  and adequate number of (qualified) teachers. All the above fosters inequality in the level of education offered to the rich and the poor in India. Lack of awareness and equality of education needs to be addressed by our efforts. Providing these children quality education, exposure, nutrition, health care and socialization  enables them and their communities to gain much needed awareness and emancipation.

Lack of opportunities

Education is mainly a commercial endeavor in India.  Those who can afford;  the rich in urban areas, are able to pay huge sums to get their children educated in posh English medium schools. However, the poor in the rural areas are deprived of this and the dream for the future of these children are never met. There is no chance for the rural and socially and economically backward children to get admitted in good quality schools farther from home, as they don’t have access to this type of finance.  Nor are there  good quality schools in where socially oppressed communities and rural poor families often dwell.

Who suffers?

Where children are denied education, their communities suffer. Socially oppressed communities, landless poor, agriculture workers and unemployed in rural areas are the groups deprived of opportunities, emancipation and any form of a sustainable future.

AREDS Play Way school

The school is situated in Pothuravuthanpatti village in Krishnarayapuram Taluk, Karur district Tamil Nadu. AREDS established this school in the year 2003 in a village and not in any urban area, to facilitate children from rural and economically weaker communities to have greater access to standard education.

The AREDS Play Way School’s mission is to provide standard and quality education through play way methods to children from rural and oppressed communities.

Objectives

• To create an opportunity for rural children to have access to standard education
• To ensure access to qualified teachers in natural surroundings and with good infrastructure.
• To bring education and learning close to nature and realities
• To help children develop their own potential and talents

 Presently, AREDS play way school counts (50% of these children belong to socially oppressed communities). AREDS play Way School has both nursery (Kindergarten) and elementary, (Primary School) up to Standard V, Higher standards are added yearly depending on the demand.

AREDS Children’s Theatre School ACTS

 Vision: To provide a space for the children from rural poor families and from socially oppressed communities to express and enhance their talents and to build their self-confidence.

Objectives

• To provide facilities to children to mingle and interact with children from other castes and of different age groups and with those from the opposite gender.
• To provide children with theatre and drama, dance and art workshops and lessons, which build their self-confidence
• To provide facilities that will allow children to set their sights and goals higher.

 Programme package includes

• Sessions with AREDS Playback Theatre company
• Street Theatre
• Music and dance workshops
• Performing arts
• Competitions
• Capacity Building and Brainstorming

Account holder
AREDS

Account Number                        : 1218 155 0000 49607

Name of Bank & branch            : Karur Vysya Bank, Veerarakkiyam

IFSC Code no.                            : KVBL0001218
 
Address
Karur Vysya Bank,
316/10 Karur Trichy main road,
Veerarakkiam R.S, Karur dt, Pin- 639114. TN. India