Project Eklavya

India is a deeply unequal society and its classrooms are no different. 25% of children don't complete primary school and six out of every ten children do not move past 10th standard. The Right to Education Act Section 12 (1)(c) mandates all unaided private schools to reserve at least 25% of seats in their entry class for students from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups. While this policy is well intentioned, its implementation faces many barriers. According to a study conducted by Indus Action in South Delhi, it was found that only 4% of the total population knew of the law in November 2013.

Project Eklavya is a campaign directly engaging relevant stakeholders. With communities the goal was to not only spread awareness of the law, but also assist members through the entire process, from knowledge of Section 12 (1)(c), smooth admission of their children to helping mothers support their children at home. Indus Action regularly works with the government to spot loopholes, implement management information systems related to the process and supports them with tasks like awareness building and grievance redressal. In regards to schools, we have supported them by conducting training sessions for teachers and children who fall below expected levels of learning.

Since its inception Indus Action has helped admit more than 10,000 children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged backgrounds in Delhi, with the help of management information systems. It has instituted such technologies for the processing of applications in Raipur, with plans to expand to the rest of Chattisgarh. According to the Indus Action Study, the percentage of people aware of the law grew to 14.7% by April 2014. 91.67% of people in the Sangam Vihar area found out about Section 12(1)(c) through an Indus Action community mobiliser. Indus Action’s work is tangibly creating a more socially inclusive India, do your part to help out!