The Central Government had asked all states to present inventive ideas to make available education to each and every child. The Delhi government has suggested the launch of mobile schools to extend education to street urchins, drop-out school children and those living in red-light areas, construction sites, railway stations and also child laborers. As a result, these children would get access to primary education in the national capital. The “Chalta Firta” school scheme has been brought in under the government's flagship program - Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, intended at the universality of basic education.
These mobile schools will have lots of ingenious ideas, like teaching alphabets with the help of colored blocks and familiarizing children with water colors. The mobile schools will also spread awareness on issues such as hygiene, HIV/AIDS, drugs and dowry. The vans will be parked at various places and will conduct classes for a couple of hours before moving to another location. The plan is for one van to cover four locations everyday. The idea also involves the objective of making Delhi absolutely child-labor free. The Central Government will supply finances for the projects and the state governments will execute the projects.
Two “Chalta Firta” vans were flagged off by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit yesterday. These vans are well outfitted with the essential infrastructure of a classroom, together with an assortment of most up-to-date teaching and learning resources like VCDs and learning kits. The mobile schools are being maneuvered on a public-private partnership basis, with an MoU involving the department of education and the Salaam Balak Trust and an NGO called Butterflies, which works for children.
Following this noble example, Rajasthan will also hold classes in deprived areas where child labor is prevalent. Other states have also furnished ideas to expand primary education to underprivileged children.