BRIDGE EDUCATION – FROM RAGS TO RESPECT AND HOPE

BRIDGE EDUCATION – FROM RAGS TO RESPECT AND HOPE

Beneficiaries – 1,200

The mission in Jharkhand began in 1996, at a time when the remote villages of Ranchi, Ramgarh, and Hazaribag were severely underdeveloped—lacking electricity, transportation, and basic infrastructure. Access to education was almost nonexistent, with government schools functioning poorly or not at all. In many villages, schools were entirely absent, and the nearest educational facility was often 5 to 10 kilometers away.

In response to this dire need, St. Ann’s Society established St. Ann’s English Medium School in Ramgarh district and launched bridge course programs in Navajara and Bijulia. These initiatives targeted tribal girls who had never been enrolled in school and children engaged in rag picking. After one or two years of intensive bridge education, these children were integrated into formal schooling. This intervention brought about a profound transformation in the lives of underserved children, for whom education had once seemed out of reach.

Impacts:

·       Over 1,000 Girl Children Educated: The bridge course successfully educated and mainstreamed more than 1,000 girls into formal schools and professional studies. Many are now employed in private and government sectors, while younger ones continue their education with ambition and purpose.

·       Transformative Impact on Village Communities: Witnessing the success of these girls, other families are now inspired to send their children—both girls and boys—to regular schools, breaking long-standing cycles of illiteracy.

·       Significant Drop in School Dropouts: Over the years, the number of school dropouts in these villages has drastically reduced, reflecting a growing awareness of the value of education.

·       Changing Mindsets on Education: Earlier, education was seen as a financial burden due to loss of daily wages. Now, families recognize education as a gateway to stable employment and a better future, influenced by real-life success stories from the center.

·       Catalyst for Broader Social Development: The education initiative caught the attention of political leaders and government authorities, resulting in improved infrastructure, including:

• §  Solar power installations
• §  Kerosene oil lamps
• §  Electricity connections
• §  Better roads linking remote villages to urban centers

Adolescents – in Camp Mode School                         Awareness session

·       Restoring Access to Education: The bridge course enabled many illiterate slum children—both girls and boys—to rejoin regular schools and continue their formal education journey.

·       Parental Involvement and Investment: Inspired by their children's progress, many parents began enrolling them in private schools, willingly paying fees to ensure better education.

·       Community Support and Philanthropy: The initiative attracted support from generous individuals and organizations, who contributed in various ways to sustain and enhance the program.

·       Promoting Equality through Uniforms: Introducing uniforms for bridge course students created a sense of dignity and acceptance, reducing stigma and fostering equality with children from regular schools.

·       Ending Child Labor: Many children who were previously forced into rag picking by their families have now discontinued this practice and attend school regularly.

·       Hope for Leprosy-Affected Families: Parents affected by leprosy, once hesitant, now see education as a beacon of hope and eagerly send their children to school.

From slum to school with dreams high

DROP-OUTS EDUCATION

Beneficiaries - 200

From 2001 to 2009, the center in Arilova successfully coached nearly 200 school dropouts to appear for their 7th and 10th-grade examinations. Many of them pursued higher education and are now well-settled in respectable jobs. They credit the center for being a turning point in their lives—offering not just education, but the promise of a stable career and a brighter future.                          

       Drop-out students on picnic                                                SSC Batch