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To empower street-dwelling children with foundational literacy and numeracy skills by creating accessible, pavement-side learning spaces led by paid educators—transforming idle time into opportunity and fostering dignity through education.
Urban and rural roads across India are increasingly populated not just by vehicles, but by children—often street urchins—who gather aimlessly, deprived of formal schooling. These children are vulnerable to exploitation, illiteracy, and lifelong marginalization. Yet, they are also curious, observant, and eager to learn when given the chance
The “Pavement School” is a low-cost, high-impact intervention that brings basic education directly to the streets. A paid teacher sets up a mobile learning station on a safe stretch of pavement, engaging children in short, interactive sessions. The curriculum would include Basic English Literacy: Alphabets, common words, and reading road signs, foundational Numeracy: Counting, simple arithmetic, and number recognition, Practical Awareness: Understanding traffic symbols, safety signs, and civic behaviour
Classes are held in shaded areas or under portable canopies, using chalkboards, flashcards, and recycled materials. Sessions are short (1–2 hours), consistent, and designed to build trust and routine
The implementation process will involve Educator Recruitment: Local teachers or volunteers are hired (on a part-time basis) and trained to deliver pavement-side lessons with empathy and creativity
The learning kits will comprise basic teaching tools—chalk, slates, and posters. The school will require help from nearby shopkeepers, residents, and traffic police. All would have to be sensitised to support and protect the initiative.
Monitoring & Expansion will be a key element. It is envisaged that possibly some designated local do-gooders would be willing to take an interest. Progress is tracked through attendance logs and skill assessments, with potential to scale across cities.
Likely Impact would be Reduction of idle time of children and risk for vulnerable children to turn vagrant, literacy and numeracy in a familiar setting, developing cognitive and social skills for future integration into formal education, creating community ownership and visibility for child welfare
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