RSTCs open new vistas for destitute children

Education Department has roped in 10 local NGOs to run the training centres

A good number of under-privileged and destitute children, who have never been to a school, are now having the taste of elementary education, thanks to the newly set-up Residential Special Training Centres (RSTCs) under Rajiv Vidya Mission.

The objective of the programme is to identify and enrol school drop-outs among the disadvantaged groups in the 6-14 age group, impart academic coaching to them for a period of 10 months before enrolling their names in the mainstream schools. Food, accommodation, and other academic needs of these children are taken care of by the residential training centres.

“We have enrolled 540-odd children in the 13 RSTCs set up across the district,” Krishna District Education Officer (DEO) D. Devanand Reddy, told

The Hindu on Friday.

The Education Department has roped in 10 local NGOs to run the training centres. An Alternative Schools Coordinator from Rajiv Vidya Mission and an Urban Coordinator from the Education Department are instituted to monitor the whole mechanism. “Their job is to visit these training centres every month and ensure that the number of students does not dwindle besides monitoring the NGOs’ performance,” said the DEO.

Bigger challenge

“This education drive is on for the last 10-12 years, but now we have a bigger challenge as we are dealing with complicated cases. We need to launch concerted effort to see the desired result. The NGOs are playing a crucial role in the programmes,” said Mr. Reddy.

Survey

In a recent survey, the department identified over 3,000 out-of-school children who will be covered in the next academic year.

The NGOs participating in the drive include Navajeevan Bala Bhavan, Vijayawada (three RSTCs), Care and Share at Veerapunenigudem in Gannavaram mandal (one), Jesus Christ Education Society, Vijayawada (two), Rides at Nuzvid (one), CSI Arunodaya, Vijayawada (one), Deepthi Education Society, Vijayawada (one), Santosh Education Society, Vijayawada (one), Rural Women Welfare Society, Gudivada, (One) and Ramvilas Rural Development Society, Pedana (one).

Three training hostels have been set up for urban deprived children. Of them, one each is being run by Navajeevan Bala Bhavan and Vasavya Mahila Mandali in Vijayawada, while the third one is at Veleru village of Bapulapadu mandal. Under this project, 150 children infected and affected by HIV, orphan and streetchildren are enrolled in regular schools.