Based on the data from National Family Health Survey-3, it was found that only 75 percent of the children in the age group 6 to 16 years were attending school. About 14 percent of the children never attended the school and 11 percent dropped out of school for various reasons. the dropouts among the children belonging to illiterate parents were four times higher than that of the literate parents. It was also observed that if parents were not working, the possibility of dropout among their children was relatively high. The study suggests that unless and until there is considerable improvement in the economic status of households and change in the social attitudes of parents, achieving the goal of universalization of school education will remain a major challenge for India.

According to the ministry of human resource development (MHRD), 62.1 million children are out of school in India. The 2011 Census estimated the figure at 84 million—nearly 20% of the age group covered under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

Modern economic growth has little room for people with rudimentary skills and low education levels. The age of assembly-line production has given way to newer technologies, with complex processes, requiring a better trained workforce. And that’s where things don’t look good for India. The quality of education in rural schools is dismal, on average. Among 14-18-year-olds surveyed by the ASER teams, only 43% could solve a class IV mathematics problem. This proportion was roughly the same among 14-year-olds as among 18-year-olds, showing that the problem of low learning outcomes was not resolved by remaining in school. Only 40% of 18-year-olds could take 10% off a given number. More than that percentage could not locate their state on a map of India.

Based on the statistics from Ministry of Education data (refer table 1); the average drop out %age among the top 10 states is 9%. There are states where the primary school drop out rate is as high as 12%.

Furthermore, the average number of dropouts gradually increase as the grades progress from Grade 1 to Grade 11 as shown in Table 2.

We at koshish Ek Pathshala are bound to spread awareness on the importance of continuity in education.  To read more about out our “koshish ek Pathshala” projects on continuity of education
In our pursuit to spread education, promote health awareness , health care facilities and impart skill development training among students, the research team of our NGO has designed various modules scientifically. These include:
 
What we do ?

Surveys -With the help of questionnaire drafted by our team conducts survey of people living in villages, slums on various parameters such as economic, educational and health. In case, these villages or slums lag behind in any of the above-mentioned parameters, we adopt them and help people raise their level in the fields of education, health and economic development.


Focusing education:
At the outset, we first we pay attention towards children’s informal education. Thereafter, we interact with parents and convince them to send their children to our study centres, which are located nearby the adopted villages/slums. Classes are divided according to intellect level of children and accordingly, proper schedules are made. In the next course of our plan, we cover maximum children of the adopted villages/slums to impart teachings to them. Regularity is maintained through recruitment of graduate teachers.

Adopting village/slum:   After an extensive analysis of the survey findings, a complete one year plan is chalked to gradually lift villages/slums on the given parameters. Thereafter, separate teams are constituted for respective regions to start centres, develop infrastructure and arrange funds for these centre to meet the expenses for a year.

Reach out to primary school, junior high school and senior high school and ensure continuity of education.
Talent recognition through events like talent hunt, youth camp, web seminars.
Regular interaction with parents and teachers to ensure continuity of education.
As the backbone of Koshish Ek Pathshala is continuity of education, the most important question is how do we ensure continuity of education.
Their job will be to report weekly attendance to the team on ground and at the same time inform parents if kids are not coming to school regularly.
Teachers teaching in school should identify the top 5-10 kids in each category and report about it to the ground team.
Core team should arrange 1-2 Laptop for each school, teacher’s role is to attract kids by giving them basic knowledge about computer, allow them to play some basic games in computer etc. this is to develop students interest which will ensure their regular attendance in school Identify the schools, plan some incentives for the teachers to motivate them.
Core team needs will arrange 1-2 Laptops for each school.
Collect regular information from school teachers regarding attendance , best students
Regularly plan events like talent hunt etc, invite winners parents during the awards ceremony and look for the possibility of spreading awareness among the parents.

Collect information of each student home address, invite them for awareness camp where team will bring some well established students from the village along with some Pradhan/minister big shot etc. Main idea is to create awareness among parents and made them realise how important education is and how are we planning to support their kids from start till the end. Parent’s need to ensure that their kids are going to school on regular basis.

Admission in school:
We help children get admissions in good private and government schools so as to get a quality education. Besides, education, the children in these schools are also taught moral values, discipline, cultural attributes, extra curricular activities so as to transform and evolve them into better human

Skill development:  
Skill Development Cell (SDC) works to groom children and develop their personalities. Cultural activities like singing, dancing, drawing, enacting a story, art and craft etc. are taught. Children are updated with the current affairs and GK. Other activities like mental mathematics, word game, and other mental games are also held. Besides yoga, meditation classes are also conducted for mental and spiritual development of children, students. The students are also prepared for events and competition at school so as to enable them to give their best in competitions..

Setting up library: Library is set up in the village/slum in order to provide children a space to study and complete their home works during night when there is no electricity at their homes. A diverse collection of academic and non-academic books, study material, inverter, proper drinking water supply and lavatories are provided.



How we work ?

Surveys:`Education to all’ is our main motto. In order to bridge the loopholes in the existing education, we at koshish Ek Pathshala, with the help of our local representatives carry survey on the current education standards and underlying problems associated with it. This helps us to get to the root of the ills that plague the education system and accordingly, we take corrective measures to provide quality education to all.

Analysis: After the extensive analysis of the survey, complete one-year planning is done to gradually lift up the standard of education in villages/slums. Thereafter separate teams are constituted from developing infrastructure to getting funds for a year to embark on our academic initiatives for the children and for their education.

Selection through examinations:Selection through examinations: We conduct examinations for all the students in the respective towns/villages. Based on the performance of students in the examination, we carefully select students who actually need support from us. The remaining students are given constant counseling and advice from experts from different streams to further excel in their studies ahead.