Parikrma's ambition is to ensure that quality education is accessible to marginalized children. Parikrma also empowers each child with life skills such as a strong sense of honesty and ethics, respect for the environment and a passion for excellence, both on and off the playing field. Parikrma has four schools that educate over 1500 children from 69 slum communities and four orphanages in Bangalore. Each child has a unique personality and development curve which is nourished and encouraged.
The free, Government mass schooling system, which is the only option, is in a severe state of disrepair. Drop out rates are close to 50% by class V and 70% by the time the child reaches class VII. Attendance is as low as 15%. The content of education is basic with the quality text books sub-standard. Teachers are poorly trained and teaching methods are outdated. What is even more debilitating is that English, which is needed to get a good job, is non-existent in these schools.
The huge gap that exists between those who get good education in private schools and those who have access only to the sub-standard Government schooling and now low-cost, poor quality private schools needs to be addressed. It is the content of education that makes education. And that's what needs to be addressed. Parikrma is, therefore, reforming education inside out, through the content of education that is equal to mainstream schools.
Is it possible to bridge the huge gap that exists between the privileged and the poor? Can the poorest children from these slums get access to the best jobs on equal terms? And is it possible to do so in a manner that it can influence an entire system to change? Parikrma Humanity Foundation is attempting just that.
This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).
