IMPORTANCE OF NGOs WORKING FOR GIRL CHILD EDUCATION
The role of education is paramount in the overall improvement of a country. It is the only tool that a nation has to emerge out of the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty and pave a path of meaningful development. It is both the means as well as an end to a better individual life. Since its independence in 1947, India has made considerable strides in literacy and education levels. But, there is a long way to go when we specifically talk about female education and tertiary levels of education. Even after seven decades of freedom from British rule, India has failed to achieve a more than 90 percent literacy rate. The overall female literacy rate is approximately 65 percent, much lower than the world average of 79.7 percent. But, despite several falters, the Indian government has tried to amplify female literacy levels in the country through various policies. Some of them are – ●
Mahila Samakhya Program – The program was inaugurated by the Indian government in 1988 and resulted from the New Education Policy of 1968. The Indian government started the program to empower women from rural areas and socially and economically marginalized sections.
●
Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme – It was launched in 2004 to extend education to girls at primary levels. The main target cohort of the scheme is underprivileged girls from rural areas where overall a female literacy level is comparatively lower. Under the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme, several schools were set up with 75 percent for backward class and 25 percent for BPL females.
●
National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL) –It was launched in 2003 and aimed to reach out to girls who were not covered under the SSA schemes. Under NPEGEL, numerous 'model schools' have been set up to offer better opportunities to girls.
Now that we have talked about the government's role in promoting female literacy in India, it would be blasphemous to ignore the role of NGOs in improving female literacy in India. Various NGOs working for girl child education in Mumbai and India that have elevated the overall status of women in the country. Let us explore their roles in more detail.
ROLE OF NGOs IN PROMOTING FEMALE LITERACY IN INDIA ●
As India's geographical and demographical expanse is massive, it becomes nearly impossible for the government to bring all female children into the fold of education. The retention rate of the country is abysmally low, with a large chunk of children leaving school after completing class 8. Hence, the role of civil society becomes crucial to ensure that the benefits of education reach children, especially girl children from all sections of the society. NGOs work at the grass-root level to disseminate education to the needy and under-privileged. They help bridge the gap between the government schemes and their primordial targets.
●
In India, the lack of awareness about the importance of female education is almost nil among certain sections of society. It is in such a context that NGOs come into the picture. Various NGOs working for girls' education in Mumbai and other Indian states strive to spread awareness about the significance of female education. The workers of NGOs and similar organizations speak the language of the masses and, hence, successfully deliver critical social messages to the marginalized sections of society.
●
Non-governmental Organizations working to promote female education in India also help them attain financial liberty. Many NGOs offer employment opportunities and skill-based training to women and help them stand on their feet. Also, some NGOs distribute books, stationery, uniforms, and other essential items to female children, so they don't lag. Various NGOs also work with local communities to form Children Groups (CGs) and School Management Committees (SMCs) to ensure that they take accountability for the development of children in their community.
Therefore, we can safely assert that NGOs have an indispensable role in promoting female education in India. If you want to support girl child education in India, you can be a part of Apnalaya. It is an NGO working for child education in Mumbai and aims to heighten the female literacy rate in India. Apnalaya also works to help the urban poor by enabling them access to essential services, healthcare, education, and livelihood. You can donate to Apnalaya to assist them in their revolutionary goals. You can also support a community and help them fulfill their basic livelihood needs. Furthermore, Apnalaya has several projects related to education, health, sports for girls, women's livelihood, disability, and so forth. You can also support any one of the projects and be an integral part of the NGO.