SSA (Sarva Siksha Abhiyan)
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is Government of India’s flagship programme for achievement of Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) in a time bound manner, as mandated by 86th amendment to the Constitution of India making free and compulsory Education to the Children of 6-14 years age group, a Fundamental Right. SSA is being implemented in partnership with State Governments to cover the entire country and address the needs of children.
‘Chinnara Thangu Dhama’s, transit homes for Urban Deprived Children, were set up in nine districts of Karnataka in 2010. Ever since, Don Bosco PYaR runs the only Chinnara Thangu Dhama at Gulbarga under the auspices of SSA. ‘Urban Deprived Children’, the target group as per the project specs would mean children on the street, school dropouts, child labourers, rag pickers, children who are into substance abuse, victims of child trafficking and run-away children.
The children at the centre undergo a Residential Bridge Course programme for 12 months after which they are re-enrolled to mainstream schools. The curriculum is designed to enable children to reach the level of academic competency required to be enrolled in the particular class in consonance with their age. The centre also has few children who hail from very poor families and could not continue the education at home because of poverty and other social problems. Amenities like, food, shelter, clothing, medicines, study and play materials are provided at the centre. The transit home, ‘a home away from home’, aims at the integral growth of children. There are regular classes, co-curricular activities and cultural activities to optimize potential of children. Counselling, emotional support and guidance are given to the children who attend the
Residential Bridge Course as well as children already re-enrolled to mainstream schools. In step with the directives of JJ Act 2000, an ‘individual care plan’ is
prepared for each child.
