8. Upper Primary Level Education for ‘out of school’ children

There has not been much work for education of ‘out of school’ children for the upper primary level outside the formal system.  This is an area of challenge. Certain VAs like MV Foundation, CARE India have been conducting long duration residential camps for children in the 12-14 year age group.  MV Foundation is the only organisation which conducts remedial courses which enable adolescent girls to appear for the class-VII public examination. Balika Shikshan Shivar of Lok Jumbish Parishad is also an intervention of residential camps for adolescent girls. Several other VAs implement programmes for elder children, especially adolescent girls which stress on empowerment, building of self-esteem and life-skills including health issues.  Some of these programme also work for development of vocational skills in adolescent girls.  A few VA programme focus on remedial teaching for adolescents and also short duration residential camps for generating greater awareness among adolescents.  Many of these programmes are functioning mainly in large urban centres. 

Clearly, it is difficult to run alternative schools for upper primary levels.  Part-time instruction is not likely  to result in competencies required for completing the upper primary level education.  However, in certain states, National or State Open School is also proposing courses at the upper primary level. This alternative is worth exploring.

Alternative schools for upper primary level may be considered for sanction only in such cases where there are no appropriate facilities in the vicinity to cater to the needs of learners, linkages for maintenance of quality of teaching learning have to be established.  An assessment would also be made of the infrastructure available for the centre.   Progress of implementation of the upper primary level be reviewed from time to time.

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