HOPE’s Holistic Education Programme for Underprivileged Children in the slums of South and North Kolkata, Bhagar and Howrah ensures the basic educational rights of poor children between the ages of 6-18 years, living in derelict and sprawling slums since 2008. This programme is run by HOPE’s implementing organizations in Kolkata and Howrah, Hope Kolkata Foundation and PBKOJP who work with government schools to empower them and their local communities to invest in their children’s education.
The Holistic Education Programme has improved the educational status of slum dwelling communities in Kolkata and Howrah, West Bengal, India. School dropout rate has decreased from 75% in 2005 to 5% in 2016, with only 5% of children who are out of school in HOPE operational areas.
HOPE’s study revealed that 95% of the children in the age group of 6-14 years are now attending school, 78% of the children in the age group of 3-5 years are attending ICDS Centre and 75% of the children in the age group of 15-17 years are continuing higher level education.
Such positive impacts stemming from Phase-I of this programme has directed HOPE to now look to address the quality of the teaching and learning environment within formal schools throughout Kolkata and Howrah in Phase-II through the following objectives;
The Hope Foundation will continue working with government and government aided schools for sustainable change under the following objectives.
Strategic Objectives
- Strengthening implementation of RTE mandate in schools,
- Improving learning levels of children in Government schools in order to improve their class appropriate level,
- Reduction in corporal punishment by building capacity of children and parents,
- Increase special needs children’s access to formal education and
- Increase children’s access to formal school.