The Vital Role of Education in Protecting At-Risk Children

Access to education is a fundamental human right that must be available to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. Unfortunately, many

children from marginalized communities, such as those living in poverty, face significant barriers to accessing quality education. Ensuring these children have access to education and the necessary support to grow is crucial for both their future and the country’s future.

But due to a lack of awareness, some parents hold their children back from school or never enroll them in the first place. Additionally, when marginalized children have access to education, they may still encounter other hurdles, such as inadequate resources like textbooks, technology, and individualized attention from teachers. They may also face bullying or discrimination from their peers, leading to negative effects on their mental health and academic performance. Children living in underserved environments may face various obstacles as well, such as a lack of transportation or being forced to work to support their families, which makes regular school attendance challenging.

To overcome these challenges, providing children with the necessary support to succeed is critical. This includes improving the quality of education, such as by

hiring diverse and well-trained teachers, suitable infrastructure, providing up-to-date resources and technology, and fostering a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.

Aside from these practical measures for youth empowerment in India, it is essential to acknowledge and address the systemic barriers contributing to educational inequality. This includes tackling issues such as poverty, gender disparity, and promoting equitable policies and practices in education. Investing in the education of marginalized children is not only a matter of social justice, but it also benefits society as a whole. This is where VidyaGyan is helping create much-needed long-term impact. VidyaGyan, an initiative of the Shiv Nadar Foundation, identifies and develops talented youngsters from economically disadvantaged rural areas into future leaders. The initiative offers these children the support they need to succeed, to help create a more just and equitable society. This includes a fully residential campus with computers, math and science labs, along with indoor and outdoor sports facilities, an amphitheater, art buildings, and an athletics field.

To acknowledge its commendable work, VidyaGyan was recently recognized by the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) with the esteemed “Children’s Champion Award.” The initiative received praise for its excellent work in the area of education and its commitment to the well-being of children from remote regions. This honor recognizes the commitment and diligence of the VidyaGyan team toward the rural development program. It also acknowledges the initiative shown by Mr. Shiv Nadar, the founder of HCL, a US$12.3 billion leading worldwide company who established Shiv Nadar Foundation that then initiated VidyaGyan.

Source:

https://medium.com/@vidyagyan26/the-vital-role-of-education-in-protecting-atrisk-children-41aaa673d490