CWM

Dalit women offered back-to-school scheme in India

Thursday, 11 June 2009 16:44

Community leaders in India have stepped up efforts to reach out to women from slum areas by offering them an education.

Church of North India leaders and school teachers from St Thomas School in Mandir Marg, New Delhi have put their heads together to find ways for illiterate lower caste women to learn new life-skills at the local St Thomas School after the children have gone home.

The pioneering scheme has been driven by school prinicipal Anuradha Amos, as part of the church-run community outreach programme "Swavlamban" – a vocational training centre set up to nurture disadvantaged people from the community.

Research into the kinds of subjects Dalit women say they would like to study has highlighted the need for classes in English language, literacy, computer skills and beauty culture.

With the new after-school classes, women will be taught a range of these skills to help build their confidence and boost their chances for employment and a better life.

The scheme is also being backed by Diocese of Delhi Bishop the Rt Rev Sunil Kumar Singh.

Mrs Amos said: "This new scheme is a landmark in the history of St Thomas School. Not only are we making the women self-reliant, we are building a community."