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How we help...
The children of all the families we work with are poor and
therefore, rather than attend one of the many private schools, they go to state
schools, which are often overcrowded and inadequate in the teaching they can
offer.
As a result children already marginalised by their social
position, may not learn even the rudiments of reading and writing; this in
a country where it is necessary to be able to speak, read and write two Indian
languages plus English before they can enter tertiary education.
The Banyan Tree provides tuition groups for Primary and Secondary children. At present we have 22 groups spread over 11 villages and a tribal area with approximately 500 children.
We employ a teacher for each group to provide a minimum
of one hour tuition, either before or after school on each school day, in order
to support and amplify school work.
We also provide vocation programmes in
the long hot season school holiday.
We provide books, pens, pencils and other necessities including help with school uniform.
Our teachers keep in contact with parents and with the schools
and receive regular reports on pupils'
performance.
Tuition is free for all our groups. Every year we support
an educational visit for children who rarely move outside their own limited
area.
Education is the key to assisting children to complete
secondary schooling and enter tertiary education; hopefully to enable
them to break the cycle of illiteracy and deprivation.
"Tertiary education is an expensive path and far beyond the reach of
labouring families.."
We have recently begun to provide financial support to
enable a limited number of older students to enter tertiary education and undertake
nursing, college or university courses.
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