Children of migrant workers receive education at ‘Vidya Kumbh’ school, set up at Maha Kumbh Mela. | Official
Non-profit organisation Educate Girls, in partnership with the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department, has taken a pioneering step by creating ‘Vidya Kumbh’, a special make-shift primary school, at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Children of migrant workers who travel from all over the nation to attend the event with their families are guaranteed continuous access to education thanks to this initiative.
Gyan Ka Pitara
This new initiative was launched by Maha Kumbh Mela Special Executive Officer, Akanksha Rana (IAS), and it brought in textbooks, stationery, and even the remedial learning package called Educate Girls Gyan Ka Pitara.
Government teacher appointed by UP Government to ensure continuous learning for children at Vidya Kumbh. |
“Vidya Kumbh is a commendable initiative that will inspire children from labourer families towards education and secure their future,” said Ms. Akanksha Rana, who was at the ceremony to support the program. These kids’ lives would be significantly impacted by this attempt to put education first during a major occasion like the Maha Kumbh Mela.
Uttar Pradesh’s government has given the school land and a full-time dedicated government teacher. Educate Girls has supported the initiative by branding the premises and providing the Gyan Ka Pitara remedial learning kit.
Uttar Pradesh Government Allocates Land for Temporary School at Maha Kumbh Mela. | Official
The school will operate for four months, which will give children access to foundational learning, quality education materials, and life skills-building activities. Gyan Ka Pitara remedial learning kit is on Foundational Learning and Numeracy for Grades 3-5 with an aim to enhance learning levels in English, Hindi, and Math.
“To make sure that the children of labourers visiting the Maha Kumbh Mela don’t lose out on their education, Educate Girls founded the ‘Vidya Kumbh’ program in partnership with the Basic Education Department. It is crucial to take education to where children are, instead of waiting for them to come to us,” said Vikram Solanki, Director of Operations at Educate Girls, adding that this revolutionary step would ensure that no child’s education is interrupted because of socioeconomic conditions.
With millions of devotees, pilgrims, and visitors attending, the Maha Kumbh Mela is India’s biggest religious and cultural event. Over 90,000 individuals from various departments contribute to the preparations for this once-in-a-year event, which creates enormous economic activity. These workers come from all over India, and many of them go with their families, including kids whose schooling is interrupted.
“We are working to advance education and provide kids with the fundamental knowledge they need for a brighter future through this camp. At the Kumbh Mela, I have no doubt that this plan will succeed. “I would like to express my appreciation to all the organisations that have contributed to this endeavour,” said Praveen Kumar Tiwari, Prayagraj’s Basic Education Officer.
