FAMILY STRUGGLING TO EARN TWO MEALS FOR A DAY. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE IN THIS SITUATION? WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE TO STRUGGLE SO HARD AND WALK MILES JUST TO GET 1 LITRE OF WATER? What would you do in such horrible conditions, Earn a Living for your family ? OR Spend Time and Money on Education ? ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS DATA OF 2003 ONWARDS, ONLY 56% OF CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 5 & 9 YEARS ARE ATTENDING SCHOOL. LESS THAN HALF OF THE CHILDREN WHO JOIN CLASS 1 ACTUALLY COMPLETE CLASS VIII, AND MUCH LESS THAN 10% PASS HIGHER SECONDARY EXAMINATION. MORE THAN 80% SCHEDULED CASTE GIRLS AND 90% OF SCHEDULED TRIBE GIRLS WHO JOIN CLASS 1 DO NOT COMPLETE CLASS X. VOCATIONAL TRAINING WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THEIR ACADEMIC PROGRAMME. ALL THE PRODUCTS MADE BY THE STUDENTS UNDER THIS TRAINING WOULD BE SOLD IN MARKET AND THE PROCEEDINGS WOULD GO TO THEIR PARENTS. A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS AS A REWARD ON COMPLETION OF PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION. THE VILLAGES WHERE SCHOOLS WOULD HAVE GOOD GROSS ENROLLMENT RATIO AND NET ATTENDANCE RATIO WOULD ALSO BE REWARDED IN TERMS OF MONEY OR BETTER FACILITIES. IT WOULD BE MADE MANDATORY FOR STUDENTS AFTER GRADUATION TO SPEND ATLEAST 3 MONTHS IN A RURAL AREA OR SLUM AND EDUCATE THE CHILDREN THERE. TUTION CENTERS WOULD BE BUILT UP FOR UNDER PRIVILEDGED CHILDREN SINCE MOST OF THEIR PARENTS ARE ALSO UNEDUCATED. EDUCATION WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR FREE IN THESE CENTERS. THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLS IN RURAL AREAS WOULD BE IMPROVED AND THE INCENTIVES OF TEACHERS WOULD BE INCREASED SO THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO TEACH THE UNDERPRIVILEDGED. A DONATION CENTER WOULD BE CREATED FOR COLLECTING DONATIONS. EVEN IF EACH STUDENT CONTRIBUTES RS.10 INSTEAD OF BUYING A CHOCOLATE FROM THAT MONEY, HUGE AMOUNT OF FUNDS CAN BE GENERATED WHICH WOULD CHANGE THOUSANDS OF LIVES. PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND HUGE COMPANIES WOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO ADOPT A VILLAGE EACH AND TAKE UP THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THEIR EDUCATION. LEND A HELPING HAND GENERATE AWARENESS THROUGH FOLLOWING METHODS: *ANNOUNCEMENTS ON LOUDSPEAKERS *NUKKAR NATAKAS *CAMPAIGNS *SPECIAL SCREENING OF DOCUMENTARY MOVIES FOR ENTIRE VILLAGE SHOWCASING THE VARIOUS ACTS & LAWS FOR UNDER PRIVILEDGED TRANSPORTATION PROVIDING REWARDS IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDING FREE EDUCATION AND RAW MATERIALS DURING VOCATIONAL TRAINING INCENTIVES FOR TEACHERS CREATING AWARENESS AND PUBLICISING EXPENDITURE ON FOLLOWING ASPECTS IS REQUIRED Roughly an expenditure of INR 1,70,000 crores has been estimated over the next 5 years. The allocation of funds needs to be increased to at least 8-10% of the GDP than the present 3-4%. Huge funds are required. Centre should contribute 65% of the funds in each state and rest 35% is to be handed by the state governments. DUS KA DUM programme would bring in a lot of money. NGOs need to contribute. Private companies, MNCs and great personalities also need to lend a helping hand. An implementation committee would be established comprising of principal, education officers, and local social workers who can identify the underprivileged children, monitor their progress and submit periodic reports. Private entrepreneurs would be encouraged to start small budget schools and NGOs need to take the lead in providing educational services in rural/backward areas.