Thu Nov 14 03:42:19 UTC 2024: ## India’s Children’s Day: A Grim Reality for Millions Like Sulekha
As India celebrates Children’s Day, a stark reality emerges: the nation is failing its children. This is the story of Sulekha, a 16-year-old girl who exemplifies the plight of countless youngsters across the country.
Sulekha lives in a village where a promised Eklavya Model Residential School, sanctioned years ago, remains non-functional. She is forced to attend a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) in a backward area, where she struggles to keep up with the curriculum due to teacher shortages and absenteeism. The situation is not unique to Sulekha, with over 4,000 teacher vacancies in KGBVs across the country.
Sulekha’s academic struggles are mirrored by millions of rural youth, with research indicating a significant learning gap, particularly in mathematics. This leads many, like Sulekha, to drop out of school to support their families.
The government’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) promises to upskill youth and improve employment opportunities, but Sulekha’s experience is a cautionary tale. Despite completing the program and receiving a certificate, she remains unemployed, like half of her peers.
The mental health of these vulnerable children is further jeopardized by the lack of accessible support. The government’s Manodarpan helpline, launched during the pandemic, is plagued by unavailability and understaffing.
Sulekha’s story underscores the systemic failings that impact countless Indian children. The Samagra Shiksha scheme, meant to provide teacher salaries, student fees, uniforms, and school infrastructure, has been stalled or denied for states ruled by non-BJP parties. Meanwhile, the National Education Policy’s goal of allocating 6% of GDP to education remains a distant dream, with the actual allocation dwindling to a mere 0.37% in the latest budget.
The article concludes with a scathing indictment of the government’s neglect, stating that “we failed you” to the millions of children like Sulekha struggling to access quality education and support.
First Piper 