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Education & Rehabilitation of the Children of Scavengers

The Sulabh Foundation, since its inception, has set upon itself the task of uplifting the children of scavengers by innovative steps to enable their rehabilitation in society.

Education : Sulabh Public School

The Sulabh Movement started with the objective to liberate and elevate the status of scavengers. Towards this, it adopted a two-pronged strategy; a state-of-the-art technology to reach sanitation facilities even to the poorest, and to bring scavengers in the mainstream of Indian society. The Sulabh International, under the inspiring leadership of its Founder, Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, branched into several inter-related activities meant not only to rehabilitate, socially and economically, those weaned away from scavenging, but also to restore
their self-esteem and self-respect. Towards this, the Sulabh International Centre for Action Sociology (SICAS) was established in 1993. The main objectives were to develop a systematic understanding of the social, economic and psychological problems of scavengers or Balmikis and to evolve and implement a range of innovative, sustainable and replicable activities which would bring the Balmikis into the national mainstream.

Education holds the key to any major change and development. Literacy and education in India are woefully low, particularly among Dalits and Balmikis. In recent years, the educational infrastructure has expanded considerably and schools have been set up on commercial lines. These schools offer physical and instructional facilities comparable to those in developed countries. But very few children coming from low-income households, particularly Balmikis have access to these centres of quality education. Moreover, since most of them are firstgeneration learners, they are hardly inclined towards the education of their children, especially of girls. With this objective of imparting quality education, Sulabh Public School was set up in Delhi in 1992. The school aims to prepare children from the weaker sections of society for a better life.

The school brings quality education within the reach of boys and girls from Balmiki families. Apart from English and Hindi, Sanskrit is also included in the curricula, not only to provide modern, but also the traditional learning, so that the children do not forget the roots of Indian culture. Previously Balmikis were not permitted to learn Sanskrit! The school also offers a wide range of support facilities. In addition, it regularly organizes co-curricular activities with a view to promoting social integration. This serves as a role-model to be replicated throughout India towards providing quality education to poor
students.

TheSulabh Public School has marked features that distinguish it from others. The ratio of the students is 60 percent Balmikis and 40 percent from the general category. Balmiki students are provided free tuition fee, uniform, books and stationary. The School is recognized by the Directorate of Education, Govt. of Delhi. It provides education up to tenth standard. The present strength of the School is nearly 400 students.

Computer Training

Sulabh Vocational Training Centre

Development of skills is important for all but crucial for the less educated. To the members of Scheduled Castes, including Balmikis, it has a pointed relevance.

• The Sulabh Vocational Training Centre aims to provide development and training in diverse skills to boys and girls from weaker sections of society, especially from Balmiki households, so that they use their newly acquired talents to the fullest and achieve better economic and social adjustment. Its main objectives are: to mobilize boys and girls from the weaker sections; to enable them to pick up market-oriented trades and thus enable them not only to earn a living, but also to help them towards developing confidence, self-esteem and reliance, for being absorbed in the national mainstream.
• The courses are so designed that they help students acquire skills which help towards self employment. There is a follow up programme to monitor the progress of each student in later life.
• The first Sulabh Vocational Training Centre was set up at Patna in 1985. It offered vocational training to young boys and girls in several trades. By all accounts, it was a roaring success. Shortly thereafter, another centre in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, was set up in Mumbai.
• It offered adolescents vocational training programmes in keeping with market demands in the then Mumbai area. It has been quite successful and continues to attract the attention of both trainees and employers. Yet another centre was opened in Delhi in 1992. Presently it offers training in the following ten trades by way of six-month courses viz., (1) Audio-equipment and Television repair, (2) Beauty-care, (3) Computer, (4) Dressdesigning, (5) Electrical, (6) English Stenography, (7) Hindi Stenography, (8) Embroidery, (9) Tailoring, (10) English & Hindi Typing.

Social Upgradation Programme

The problems arising from casteism and untouchability are complicated, old and deeprooted. Even the scavengers, considered unclean and untouchable by society, accept their lowly position in society.

The problem of Balmikis is as much economic as it is socio-cultural. In fact, it is woven into the fabric of India’s culture. Traditions take time to change and require the will and support from all sections of society. Sulabh has evolved the concept of ‘social adoption’ with this end in view. It is purely voluntary. All it costs is the willingness to shed social prejudice and show some compassion for fellow humans.

Sulabh vocational training programmes

A committed citizen publicly ‘adopts’ a Balmiki family. Subsequently, the two closely interact and visit each other’s home. Occasionally help is rendered towards social adjustment. As the adopters are usually persons of social standing and prestige, their action becomes a role model for others. Social adoption has helped significantly in the integration of the Balmikis in the mainstream of society.

Adoption of a scavenger family by hon'ble Shri I K Gujral, Former Prime Minister of India

So far 10,000 scavenger families have been adopted by well-known personalities including the former Prime Minister of India, Mr. I. K. Gujral. Dr. Pathak also led 100 Harijans into the Nathdwara temple in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in 1988 to promote religious and social cohesion. This courageous act defied human orthodoxy and helped evolve cultural integration.

Sulabh Slum Children’s Welfare Programme

A class for slum children

Slum growth is ubiquitous in most developing countries. Urban areas in India share this problem – with a difference. Most of scheduled castes and scavengers live in slums. Slums have become a disquieting feature of our towns and cities. Usually inhabited by persons from the lowest rung of society, they have come to denote the physical and social degradation in the extreme.

Besides, with no civic amenities these ‘bustees’ bristle with endless social problems especially affecting the children. Many come in conflict with law. For these children of the slums, Sulabh has launched a self-development programme. Its main thrust is towards education, personal hygiene and environmental awareness. These activities are held in the afternoons. The children are brought to the Sulabh School and given training in a variety of job skills.

The Sulabh organizes these classes in various activities by giving direction in basic education. The boys and girls are given a course on basic hygiene instruction and functional literacy in accordance with a pre-designed syllabus. Their scholastic progress is periodically examined and evaluated. The Sulabh Slum Children’s Welfare Programme thus moves on sustained by the hope that eventually it would succeed in restoring confidence and self-esteem in slum children and they would truly become vibrant and constructive citizens.

Training

In order to inculcate skills towards constructing, operating and maintenance of various low-cost water supply and sanitation schemes and human waste-fed biogas plants, the Institute runs refresher / training courses for those interested in working in these fields. In the curriculum due emphasis is given to vital inputs, viz. awareness, health, sanitation, education, personal hygiene, motivation, publicity etc., crucial for the success of such programmes. Special training modules and literature have been designed and experts in different disciplines are invited from time to time for
lectures and demonstrations of the updated techniques.