Hyderabad's Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) has recently established a primary-cum-bridge school in Errakunta, within the Jalpally municipal limits, offering free education to first-generation learners from migrant labor families. The initiative addresses the historical challenges faced by these families in accessing quality education.
HHF's decision to launch the school followed a comprehensive survey conducted across 15 major slums, including Hakeempet, Md Lines, Rajendranagar, Kishanbagh, and others. The survey revealed a concerning 27% dropout rate among students, with almost half of them at the primary level, during the previous academic year.
Financial difficulties emerged as the primary reason for 75% of parents who cited it as the cause for their children dropping out of school. Additionally, the survey found that 4% of school-age children were completely excluded from the education system, highlighting a pressing need for intervention.
Notably, 65% of dropout cases were attributed to families migrating from states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, struggling to adapt to the local educational landscape. Recognizing the inadequate distribution and accessibility of government schools in these slum areas, HHF conducted a mapping exercise that identified 756 government schools, exposing significant disparities.
Despite efforts to encourage enrollment in these schools, only 30% of counseled children successfully registered, with transportation proving to be a major barrier for 55% of parents. In response to these challenges, HHF established a primary school that has already enrolled 400 students.
With 14 classrooms, specialized facilities for bridge school students, and a team of 12 qualified teachers, a headmistress, counselors, and support staff, the institution aims to provide a conducive learning environment. Furthermore, the school has introduced a free transportation service for all students to further support their educational journey.