Right to education beyond school admission: what quality and continuity mean for children

28/09/26

Blog

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When a child is enrolled in a school, it is a welcome and necessary first step. But the quality of education they receive and ensuring continuity in their education are equally important facets. They are important for helping children build confidence and skills for their future.

The right to education offers an essential foundation for improving access to schooling across the country. It also goes beyond school admission and also covers factors such as quality and continuity.

School admission is crucial in beginning a child’s learning journey, and continued educational support helps them stay on it and become contributing members of society as they grow up. 

What Does the Right to Education Mean Beyond School Admission? 

The Right to Education Act, 2009 provides a framework for free and compulsory elementary education for children aged 6 to 14 in India. Its purpose extends beyond admission, with provisions relating to attendance, completion, infrastructure, teaching, and learning standards.  

The right to education in India is therefore connected not only with entering school, but also with enabling children to continue learning and make meaningful progress through elementary education.  

Why Helping Children Stay in School Matters?

Children who stay in school keep on building on their learning. They follow lessons, participate in important activities, and strengthen their foundational skills. Children who face interruptions in education miss out on all of this and may need additional support to continue their learning journey.

The intention to help the children stay in school is crucial in ensuring that more and more students across our country get continuity and quality in their educational life, instead of obstacles and interruptions.

Regular Attendance Builds Learning Continuity 

Children who regularly attend school follow lessons better and feel confident about learning new concepts. Furthermore, they stay connected with their classmates and their teachers. This helps ensure that they can seek their support when needed. 

Continued Learning Builds Confidence 

The early years of school lay the foundation for later learning. When children get the necessary support to continue their education, it helps them strengthen their foundational knowledge, such as numeracy. 

Early support also ensures children follow an age-appropriate learning process and understand concepts at a pace that matches their age.  As they keep up with lessons, children grow more confident in class. 

What Does Going Back to School Mean for a Child? 

Children going back to school after interruptions face many challenges. Their learning routine is disturbed, and they might not be able to recall important concepts. Such students need help and support to overcome these challenges. 

Receiving such support often leads to positive outcomes for children rejoining school after an interruption. 

Areas where children returning to school need support include the following: 

• Rebuilding the daily learning routine 
• Rivising of important concepts 
• Reconnecting with teachers and peers
• Rejoining school activities and participating confidently

How Can Back-to-School Support a Child’s Journey? 

Children restarting their education often need support. This back-to-school help can take several forms. Such support aims to help the child continue their education, strengthen their learning, and feel confident about moving forward.

This type of support will usually include the following: 

• Identifying children who need support to restart their education 
• Making educational material easily accessible for them 
• Bridging the learning gap for them 
• Strengthening foundational learning 
• Creating supportive learning spaces for them 
• Assisting their transition into formal schooling 

Bridge Learning Before Returning to School 

Bridge learning, or bridge courses, helps make the return to school smoother for a child. They clarify concepts and can serve as a much-needed step before a child returns to mainstream education. 

Learning Support After Returning 

Children coming back to school, even after bridge learning, need continued support. Catch-up learning, after-school support, learning assessments, and teacher support can help strengthen concepts and maintain educational continuity. 

This educational support can make the transition back to school more meaningful and help children stay connected to  learning.  

How Can Families and Communities Help Children Stay in School? 

Families play an important role in educational continuity. Simple encouragement, positive routines, and regular communication can help children remain engaged with school.  

Families and communities can:

• Encourage regular attendance
• Create time for learning at home
• Stay connected with teachers
• Reassure children when they find lessons difficult
• Promote awareness about the value of continued education

Schools, families, communities and education-focused organisations can work together to help the children stay in school.  

How Can NGOs Provide Educational Support?

An NGO for education in India can provide practical support that complements the work of schools and communities. An education NGO may support different stages of a child’s learning journey, from enrolment to continued participation.  

Support can include: 

• Bridge learning
• Learning assessments
• Educational materials
• After-school learning
• Community engagement
• School enrolment support
• Retention support
• Assistance for children returning to formal education

Bal Raksha Bharat (also known as Save the Children India) has worked on similar initiatives in the past. One example is our Back-to-School project in Haryana, which set up a Child Learning Centre, used age-appropriate bridge courses to prepare children for formal education, and supported their enrolment and retention in mainstream schools. 

Read Also: Child Welfare Projects by NGO in Haryana

How Can Donations Help a Child Continue Their Education?

Donations can help provide resources and educational opportunities throughout a child’s learning journey. Depending on the programme, support may contribute to:  

• Learning materials
• Bridge learning
• Learning spaces
• Educational programmes
• Support for children returning to school
• Continued learning opportunities

Choosing to donate to educate can be a practical way to contribute to children’s education. A donation for education can support initiatives designed around children’s learning needs. People can also donate for child education through trusted organisations and secure platforms.  

Help a Child Go Back to School and Continue Learning 

A child returning to school represents a renewed opportunity to learn, participate and progress. Support should continue beyond the first day back through learning resources, encouragement and educational support. 

You can support initiatives that help children return to education and stay connected with learning. Helping a child return to school can support their continued learning journey. Those looking to donate online can explore education-focused programmes and choose a contribution that suits their circumstances. 

Conclusion 

The right to education goes beyond school admission, requiring regular attendance, quality learning, educational support and continuity. 

Families, communities, schools, NGOs and supporters can work together to help children return to school, stay engaged and progress. Every child deserves the support to keep learning and complete their education.  

FAQs 

1. Why is the right to education important beyond school admission? 

It supports regular attendance, continued learning, educational progression, and completion of elementary education. 

2. What does back to school help include? 

It can include bridge learning, educational materials, learning assessments, and support for returning to formal education. 

3. How can families help children stay in school? 

Families can encourage regular attendance, maintain learning routines, and stay connected with teachers.   

4. How can donations support child education? 

Donations can help provide learning materials, educational programmes, bridge learning, and other forms of educational support. 

5. How can I help a child go back to school?

You can support Bal Raksha Bharat’s education programmes  through donations or other forms of educational support. 

Naveen Kumar

“Naveen is an SEO expert and digital marketing analyst at Bal Raksha Bharat with a passion for helping businesses grow online. With a data-driven approach, he specializes in boosting search rankings, driving traffic, and optimizing digital strategies. Follow for tips on SEO, content, and marketing trends."