Education Support, Opportunities, Holistic Development: Kolkata Children Have New Hope through MAC Centres

In the Khidirpur area of Kolkata, an area marked by years of Bal Raksha Bharat’s work to address child poverty, a significant portion of the population resides in temporary settlements on lands owned by the Kolkata Port Trust and the Railway Department. Most of the inhabitants here, have migrated from the neighbouring states of Bihar and Jharkhand in pursuit of livelihood opportunities. The majority of the local population works as daily wage labourers in nearby warehouses, contributing to the transient nature of settlements. Despite having children enrolled in schools, there are educational challenges galore, with many children dropping out of school or lagging behind in learning curve.

In close collaboration with the school management and other stakeholders, Bal Raksha Bharat has established a Multi Activity Center (MAC) in these communities, to work for the holistic development of children and youth in communities. The MAC aims to address the educational needs of these children by making provision for teaching learning material, classes tailored to different age groups and other forms of educational support.

The region faces infrastructural challenges also, including inadequate water supply, thus making it necessary for MAC workers and children to jointly tackle issues. Community involvement plays a crucial role to drive change, thus meetings with parents have been conducted to raise awareness about the rights and entitlements of children and youth in schools. MAC is supporting children to be regular in school, bring consistency in their education, as they are also able to voice their opinion through suggestion boxes.

Despite initial difficulties, MAC has gradually succeeded in engaging children in educational activities that align with their interests. Pre-assessments are conducted, and classes are organized for children aged 6 to 24, ensuring that each child/youth can learn at their own pace or gain knowledge about vocational training thus paving their way for financial independence.

The MAC initiative not only focuses on education but also encourages active participation in various events, fostering a sense of belonging. Children take part in festivals, celebrate social days and occasions and participate in other activities and community events, contributing towards their holistic development.

During assessments, children exhibit a sense of ownership and enjoyment in their work. MAC has created an environment where children are not concerned about grades only but focus on understanding and enjoying the learning process.

These centres have transformed the educational landscape in Khidirpur (one of the largest urban slum pockets of the city), thus empowering children to learn with joy and actively participate in their communities, overcoming challenges posed by the transient nature of their settlements.