PRESS RELEASE: Three Child-friendly Mobile Learning Centres Launched for Children of Bengaluru

22/10/21

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The Honourable Minister for Primary & Secondary Education, Karnataka inaugurates Child-friendly Mobile Learning Centers in collaboration with Bal Raksha Bharat

Issued: October 22, 2021, Bengaluru

• The Honourable Minister for Primary & Secondary Education, Karnataka inaugurates Child-friendly Mobile Learning Centers in collaboration with Bal Raksha Bharat
• Three Mobile Learning Centers to provide access to learning for around 5,000 Out-of-School Children at their doorstep
• Overall, more than 9,300 marginalised children from 30 habitations in Bengaluru city are being outreached for providing access to education, safe drinking water, handwashing and sanitation

October 22, 2021: The honourable Minister for Primary & Secondary Education and Sakala of Karnataka, Sri B. C. Nagesh inaugurated three child-friendly Mobile Learning Centers in collaboration with Bal Raksha Bharat today. The inaugural ceremony took place in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, in the presence of the Sri R. Ashok, The Revenue Minister of Karnataka, Sri Harish Poonja, MLA from Belthangady, Chief Executive Officer, Bal Raksha Bharat, Sri Sudarshan Suchi and Deputy Director- State Programmes and Policy, Bal Raksha Bharat, Sir Vikas Gora, Smt Kamal Gour, Deputy Director- Education, Bal Raksha Bharat and Senior Programme Manager- Karnataka &Tamil Nadu, Sri NM Chandrasekara.

Child-friendly Mobile Learning Centers will be reaching out to 30 locations to ensure children are able to access education, with focus on play and activity-based learning methods. Visual learning methods have also been kept in mind, while designing the interior and exterior of the Mobile Learning Centers. Interactive Teaching Learning Materials and storybooks are some of the attractions for the children to be associated with Mobile Learning Centre.

Bal Raksha Bharat, in collaboration with Samagra Shikshana-Karnataka, Government of Karnataka and Department of Women and Child Development, Karnataka is implementing a project on addressing learning needs and healthy living for children from Waste-Picking families and neighbouring communities of Bengaluru city with an aim is to create a Conducive Learning Environment for 9300+ most marginalised children (3-18 years). The project ensures the access to quality basic education with integrated child-friendly sanitation, handwashing and safe drinking water. 30 habitations are being outreached from this intervention. The project is a part of Saamuhika Shakti, an initiative in solidarity with Waste-Pickers for improving the quality of life of informal waste-pickers and their families in Bengaluru, supported by H&M Foundation.

Speaking on the occasion, the honourable Minister for Primary & Secondary Education and Sakala of Karnataka, Sri B. C. Nagesh said, “We encourage partnerships and collaborative work in our schools for the holistic development of the children. We are thankful to Bal Raksha Bharat for providing door-step learning opportunities to the Out-of School Children.”

Chief Executive Officer, Bal Raksha Bharat, Sri Sudarshan Suchi said “The challenges faced by the waste-picker families and their children are profound and manifold. We at Bal Raksha Bharat have always chosen to be a part of the solution and so to call on all other stakeholders to come together for a co-commitment and affirmative action. We continue working for a staying focused on providing safe spaces to children for them to not only survive but thrive. Thankful that the Government of Karnataka has placed its trust in us and our way of doing things yet again. Their faith and confidence goes a long way in strengthening our resolve.

“Collaborating with Saamuhika Shakti is a privilege and honour for us. As the very name suggests – it is a collective power and action for improving the conditions of children by enabling them to continue to learn and develop and have access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. This endeavour is by itself a small step but holds the potential of growing into a movement and unshackling the children from being a prisoner of their circumstances”, he added.

ABOUT

Bal Raksha Bharat is India’s leading independent child rights’ NGO, which has a footprint in 18 states of the country. Beginning its journey in 2008 in India, and registered as ‘Bal Raksha Bharat’, we have changed the lives of more than 14 million (1.4 crore) children.

We firmly believe that every child deserves the best chance for a bright future, which is why, we are fiercely committed to ensure that children not only survive, but thrive.

In India and across the world in over 100 countries, Bal Raksha Bharat works on the ground – every day and especially, in times of crisis. Our pioneering programs address children’s unique needs; giving them a healthy start, an opportunity to learn as well as protection from harm. When crisis strikes, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We are the outspoken champions for children, ensuring that their voices are heard and their issues are given top priority.

For further information contact:
Rupali Goswami: rupali.goswami@savethechildren.in; +91- 8879630835

Notes to editors:

Bal Raksha Bharat is working in Karnataka since 2014. We have implemented various significant projects in collaboration with the Women and Child Development (WCD) department and Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and initiated the work with DSERT in 2016 with facilitating Teacher Training on CCE during 2016. One of our key areas of work has been in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education(ECCE) working in 100 Anganwadi centers in Bangalore Urban and Rural areas with a key focus on quality pre-school education through play-based method of learning and building of HUB model to strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education.

NCERT (National Council of Educational Research & Training) New-Delhi has appreciated our models on ECCE including promoting Ready to Learn Concept with Emergent Literacy and Math at home and institution, ensuring learning in young children at home with traditional methods by promoting Lead Mothers/parent concept which was the key in making parents to take part in early learning for their young children. These concepts were already integrated in Chilli Pili curriculum designed by WCD Karnataka. Introducing Learning & Thematic corners in Anganwadi Centers, toy library and ensuring community role in strengthening Anganwadi functions are the key and it has been proved quality early learning in government ICDS centers.

Strengthening Teacher pedagogy through promoting Teacher subject specific forums, facilitating need based trainings, strengthening School Management committees to take an active part in school development and creating models with innovations on different domain to show case to the Government for replication.

Humanitarian response is also one of our core areas where we have promoted home-based learning for young children through concept called Gulmohar, broadcasting lessons through All India Radio and sharing age appropriate e-learning contents aligning to the pre-school curriculum.

As part of Covid-19 response, Bal Raksha Bharat has distributed 88 oxygen concentrators in 9 district Government Hospitals, medical equipment and established an oxygen plant at Pavagada for serving more children and families who are in need of healthcare. Bal Raksha Bharat has introduced the safe school concept by creating awareness among communities and children to protect children from Covid-19 and ensuring learning for all school-age children.

Soumi Halder

Manager-Program Campaign and Communication, Programme Support

“With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the social development sector, I am passionate about championing child rights and community empowerment through innovative communication strategies. I am Manager for Programme Campaigns and Communication with Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children)."