Further Education
In the Indian educational system there is one absolutely critical set of examinations during a child's schooling, at the end of Class 10 when the children are aged 15-16. Pass these exams, and you are admitted to 'intermediate college' for two years, the gateway to higher education or a good job. Fail them and you are classed as illiterate. You won't be able to get a bank loan to start a business or buy a house, and your job options will be extremely limited.
SLA and our Indian partners are intensely focussed on getting the children through 10th class because, eight years into the SLA project, greater numbers of children are reaching 10th class age. In 2006, SLA brought in Kiran, the Administrative Director of Education and a qualified head teacher, specifically to direct this effort.
The result was fantastic. 2007 was a breakthrough year. Twelve out of the 14 children who sat their 10th class examination passed and went on to intermediate college in Tuni. In 2008, 20 out of 24 children passed their 10th class examinations. The 10th class graduates are studying a variety of academic and vocational courses at intermediate college.
Even more encouraging is that several of our oldest children have graduated from intermediate college, and are going on to higher education at degree or diploma level. Rambabu is going to study engineering, Kumaraja wants to become a lab technician, Chittababu is studying for a diploma in fashion technology and Chinnari is studying nursing.
When you take into consideration that many of these children had no education before coming to our School, these results are an inspiring achievement. Now our dream of liberating these children from oppression, exploitation and poverty is becoming a reality.
As the years pass, more of the children are reaching college age and so now almost 10% of the children from the Light of Love home are in further education. Intermediate colleges charge fees: between £400 and £800 a year. This has placed an extra financial responsibility on SLA and so we have established the BGT Fund specifically to assist children to pursue their education and establish for themselves an independent life.
