Delhi: Camps open nursery doors to EWS kids

NEW DELHI: “If it weren’t for this camp, I can’t imagine how I could have applied for my child’s nursery school admissions,” says Kamrun Nissa. Her husband couldn’t absent himself from work to fill the forms because it would mean a day’s income less for the daily wager. Like many poor parents of the Chand Bagh area in north-east Delhi, they are entitled to get their children admitted under the

economically weaker section

(EWS) category, but their circumstances leave them no access to the internet or a computer to submit the forms.

But camps, like those run by Mission Taleem, where professionals assist the underprivileged families in the admission process, is what gave the 33-year-old Nissa hope. At a ration shop in a bylane opposite Bhajanpura, she and other anxious parents conferred with men who advised them about the necessities.

“You must have your Aadhaar cards and those of your children. Ration cards or income certificates are also mandatory,” Rajesh Ravi made himself heard over the din at Chand Bagh. Ravi is employed at the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and finds time after work to help the people with their documentation.

Like Ravi, there are others from many fields, from IT company employees to government department babus, who are involved in Mission Taleem. Ekramul Haque, convenor of the organisation and senior official at the ministry of power, said that none of the professionals were paid. “They are all here as volunteers and all the devices used in the camps are their personal machines,” said Haque.

Explaining how Mission Taleem helps pressured parents, Haque said, “We conduct camps in many areas of Delhi, particularly where people do not know how to use the internet or to fill forms online. They even don’t know that they can avail of a 25% reservation under the EWS and socially disadvantaged group categories.” Before any camp, information pamphlets are distributed and details announced at public meetings in the localities. People are also informed about the documents they are required to possess before coming to the camps. This year, they have held 23 camps and helped filled over 6,000 forms.

Ravi revealed that most parents at the camps opt for schools closer home, perhaps up to 3 km away. “They are not well off and can’t pay for their children’s transport,” he explained.

Many of the aspiring parents are grateful at this opportunity. Imran, an electrician who came to the Chand Bagh camp to submit applications for his 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son, said with some passion: “Baccho ko taleem mil jaye, bas yahi chahiye (I just want my kids to get educated).” To people such as him, Mission Taleem, and its volunteers, is nothing less than a godsend.

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