SAI is concentrating on is spread of education amongst the needy children in Sundarbans area.
We are aware that the inhabitants of Sundarbans have to fight against unforeseeable odds in the form of natural calamities every year. As a result, people have to earn their daily bread by enhancing their meagre income from cultivation through unusual yet risky jobs, which may vary from collection of honey, wood cutting in the deep forest of Sundarbans to fishing on its volatile rivers. As one would expect, many of them are attacked by tigers in the process and succumb to injuries. Those injured are usually rendered incapable of earning their livelihood henceforth. When staying alive with a roof over one’s head proves to be such a tremendous struggle, spending money or time on their children’s education seems like a luxury. In most cases, even though the children start primary education, economic condition of their families compels them to drop out. Additionally, the rate of dropping out has substantially increased since COVID-19 as many parents have lost their livelihood during the period between 2020-2021 and have no choice but to substitute their family income by children doing odd jobs to support their families.
SUNDARBAN BADABAN BHARATI EDUCATION CENTRE -
In this scenario, SAI planned to provide educational support to needy children of Basanti area of Sundarbans by providing books, tuition and all kinds of support relating to development of children. Accordingly, SAI opened its first school at Bharatgarh of Basanti in Sunderbans in January 2021. Presently 13 teachers are imparting education to 353 students enrolled from class LKG to Class IX on regular basis. Students, 50% of whom are girls, belong to all communities of the area. SAI also extends special support to orphan students of the area.
In order to prevent soil erosion, SAI motivates students to enable plantation of mangrove trees especially at the bank of river Matla. Students actively take part in the celebration of Republic Day on 26th January, Independence Day on 15th August and Netaji’s Birthday on 23rd January. Several cultural events like celebration of birthday of Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul, and other eminent personalities are organised to enhance team-building and soft skills of the students. Environment, especially in an area like Sunderbans, is an undeniable factor in our lives; hence SAI actively attempts to raise awareness among locals regarding measures of preserving their surroundings and their integral role in it. World Environment Day is celebrated on 5th June where students make science projects and models on environmental issues or arrange processions, which communicates the message to their families as one of its benefits.
Apart from providing tuition on a regular basis, the teachers and SAI management are in constant touch with the students and their guardians ensuring they are on the track of improving their quality of life. The results are seen in the number of schools drop outs, which even in corona period has almost become nil in the area.
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