Topsia and RTE

The congested localities of Ward No 59 and 66 of KMC in Topsia (Kolkata) are inhabited by residents from a different socio- economic backgrounds and religious minority.
1 out of every 2 children in Topsia does not attend school.Topsia has 4 Government schools for 3250 students. School premises are sometimes used for commercial purposes like motor bike showrooms. Textbooks and motorbikes is an unthinkable concept, yet a reality.
In most schools of Topsia:
Classrooms are shared by more than one class.

Toilets are being shared by both the boys and girls.

Schools are located near the leather and rubber factories (the prime source of pollution).

Average teacher student ratio is 1:55 when the ideal should be 1:25.

Few residents of Topsia decided to brainstorm. The idea was on ways to ensure quality education for all children in the locality. A team of enthusiastic law students of South Calcutta Law College also came forward to make Right to Education a reality in Topsia.

They wanted to:

1. Highlight the violations of Article 21A (Fundamental Right to Education) in Wards 59 and 66 and build pressure to make the Right to Education or more importantly Right to life a reality for everyone.

2. The law college students and the public of Topsia journeyed forth to find out more and document the gross child rights violations taking place.

They achieved in:

1. Conducting a survey of both private and public schools revealed that the children in were denied basic quality education. The failures of the education system are seen in the skewed ratio of children to both schools and teachers.
2. Conducting a household survey to know the reasons for school drop out and paremts’ attitude.
3. Filing a number of RTIs- some of which revealed some crucial information.· Presenting their findings in community hearings attended by politicians, ward officers and renowned lawyers.
4. Publishing their articles in the media.
5. Completing the groundwork for filing a PIL.
6. Planning to take up the issue of child labor in the locality and demand for addressing the root causes of child labour and not just ban it.

(Picture courtesy: JUPC)