Why in the News?
The Delhi Government in this year’s budget has set aside Rs 10 crore to set up a boarding school for children from homeless families living on the roadside, footpaths, under flyovers and stairs, or in open places of worship, pavilions, and railway platforms, who are deprived of basic facilities like shelter, food, and education.
Why Boarding school necessary for homeless students?
There’s a general belief that children generally do better in family settings than in institutional ones, but when the family or neighborhood settings have become so toxic or not suited for the growth of children that it puts them at risk, a boarding school sure beats the atmosphere these homeless kids live in. Unstable living situations can jeopardize any child’s ability to learn.Stable housing and safe neighborhoods, in other words, matter as much as good teaching and supportive schools in the education of our kids.The educational community knows this and it’s a welcome step that Delhi government has taken a lead role and step in recognising this issue.
Benefits of Boarding schools-
First and foremost, these schools will provide shelter and home to these homeless kids which in itself is an achievement restricting them to fall into the vicious cycle of begging and other problems and crimes. Secondly these residential schools will prove much helpful in a child’s overall development. Let’s see how this will happen.
- Inculcates confidence.
- Encourages self-reliability.
- Provides equal living standards.
- Promotes Better Learning.
- Teaches Social values.
- Conducive learning Environment.
- Connections with the like minded.
- Preparing Students for Life.
How will this function?
Task force will be rolled out in a phased manner,in different districts.Youth reach would be the funding and strategy partner of the project. The team will consist of case workers and counselors who will be deployed district wise and will work in close collaboration with the Child Welfare Committees(CWCs).Task force will focus on five pillar model of rehabilitation- Education,Vocational Training, Counseling and medical support,Sponsorship,Guardianship,Shelter and Home for child.
With the launch of this product, the early warning system and DCPCR’s 24×7 emergency helpline,the commission is launching a comprehensive mechanism for identification, prevention and relief for children at risk.”
Citizens can inform about such children on DCPCR helpline number +919311551393.
Problems in Implementation-
Every government scheme has its pitfalls and drawbacks.As the government fails in creating an aware atmosphere where people in backward areas don’t even know what the central and state government is doing for them.Major problems in the implementation of this scheme that needs to be mitigated are-
- Mismatch of Priorities
- Lack of Identification of Target beneficiaries
- Inter departmental issues leading to delays
- File pushing and Red Tapism.
- Complex rules and regulations.
- Absence of SOPs and sound implementation machinery.
- Language and communication barriers
- Behaviour and attitude problems in the personnel department. (Unprofessionalism and lack of sensitivity)
- Lack of transparency and accountability.
- Lack of citizen-centric approach.
- No community participation.
- Lack of review and monitoring mechanism.
Way forward-
There is a need for better coordination among civil societies, NGOs, and government in improving transparency, quality, and the effectiveness of a policy or scheme.By This, we will surely succeed in its proper implementation with the support of the government.
If this scheme is effectively implemented then this will prove to be a boon for the homeless children we see on roads and pavement which will lead to further effective utilisation of the human resources of our nation.
And if succeeded in Delhi, other states and UTs will also follow the suit leading to the universalisation of Public Boarding Schools throughout the country helping the nation to fulfil the goals of Home and education for all simultaneously.
