The Hindu : New Delhi News : Active role for NGOs in welfare homes

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Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009
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Active role for NGOs in welfare homes

Special Correspondent

Delhi Cabinet allows them to educate children in State-run juvenile homes

Women, children in 10 such homes to benefit
Children to be self-dependent when they leave

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Cabinet on Monday approved the involvement of NGOs for providing non-formal education along with vocational training to the children and women living in the homes run by the Department of Women and Child Development.

At a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, it also allowed the involvement of NGOs in the management and operation of the Old Age Home, Lampur, being run by the Department of Social Welfare of Delhi Government.

Ms. Dikshit said an NGO, Shubhakshika, would be involved in giving non-formal education and certification from National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) along with vocational training for the children and women staying in such homes. Women and children staying at 10 such homes are expected to benefit from this decision.

The homes that have been chosen for the scheme are Juvenile Home for Boys I and II, Alipur; Juvenile Home for Boys I and II Lajpat Nagar; Juvenile Home for Girls I and II, Nirmal Chhaya; Observation Home for Boys, Kingsway Camp; Observation Home for Girls, Nirmal Chhaya;, Bal Sadan, Timarpur and Women Institutions in Nirmal Chhaya Complex.

On the need for NGO participation, it was informed that many children above the age of seven in such Homes had little or no schooling, and therefore, found getting admitted in Class 1 of any regular school difficult. As a result they used to be deprived of regular education.

The education offered by Shubhakshika will enable such children to get Class 3, 5 and 6 certificates and thereafter join regular schools. An Educational Centre of this NGO is recognised by NIOS as its accredited agency for imparting non-formal education and for conducting examis. The certificates are recognised for admission in Government schools.

The NGO will also provide vocational training in two trades for all beneficiaries for rehabilitation to all women and children. Ms. Dikshit further stated that the NGO would ensure that through skill enhancement, the children were made self dependent by the time they leave the Home on attaining the age of 18 years.

This NGO, initially being engaged for a period of one year, would provide all required educational materials for organising and conducting classes, deploy only professional staff for delivery of quality services, complete the syllabus as per module, help children in preparation of examination and carry on the educational programme without disturbing and interfering with the ongoing rehabilitation process.

The Cabinet has also approved involvement of another NGO, Delhi Brotherhood Society, for better management of the Old Age Home, Lampur. An agreement will be signed with the NGO for a long-term period.

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