Education is a fundamental right of every individual. It is the cornerstone of social and economic development in any country. In India, the government provides free and compulsory education to children between the ages of 6 and 14 under the Right to Education Act, 2009. However, the implementation of this act is still a challenge in many parts of the country, particularly in the rural areas. This is where non-governmental organizations like the Behala Sneha Foundation (BSF) step in to bridge the gap and provide quality education to underprivileged children.
The Behala Sneha Foundation is a Kolkata-based non-profit organization that works towards providing free elementary education to children from the slums and underprivileged communities. In this blog, we will discuss the background of the organization, their objectives, and their impact on society.
Background of the Behala Sneha Foundation
The Behala Sneha Foundation was established in 2011 with the primary objective of providing quality education to underprivileged children. The organization operates on the belief that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering communities. BSF’s founder, Mrs. Manashi Saha, started the organization with a group of like-minded individuals who shared her vision of making education accessible to all.
Initially, the foundation started with a few volunteers teaching children in the open fields. Over time, they were able to establish a school in the Behala area of Kolkata, where they provide free elementary education to over 400 students from the neighboring slums. The school follows the curriculum set by the West Bengal Board of Primary Education and provides education up to the fifth standard.
Objectives of the Behala Sneha Foundation
The primary objective of the Behala Sneha Foundation is to provide free elementary education to underprivileged children. However, the organization’s objectives go beyond just providing education. The foundation believes in holistic development and strives to achieve the following goals:
Providing access to education: BSF aims to provide access to education to all children, regardless of their background or financial status. They believe that every child has the right to education, and they work towards making that a reality.
Promoting gender equality: The foundation promotes gender equality by providing equal opportunities to both girls and boys. They strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for all children.
Encouraging community participation: BSF believes in the power of community participation and encourages parents to be actively involved in their children’s education. They organize parent-teacher meetings and workshops to promote a collaborative learning environment.
Providing quality education: The foundation believes in providing quality education to all its students. They have a team of trained teachers who use innovative teaching methods to make learning more engaging and effective.
Impact of the Behala Sneha Foundation
The Behala Sneha Foundation has had a significant impact on the lives of the children they serve. The organization’s focus on education has led to improved literacy rates and a better understanding of the importance of education in the community. The following are some of the ways in which the foundation has impacted society:
Increased enrollment: The foundation has been successful in increasing enrollment rates in the Behala area. The school provides free education, which has encouraged parents to send their children to school.
Improved academic performance: The foundation’s focus on quality education has led to improved academic performance among its students. The school has seen an increase in the number of students passing the fifth standard examination.
Empowering girls: BSF’s focus on promoting gender equality has led to an increase in the number of girls attending school. The foundation has created a safe and inclusive environment for girls to learn and grow.Creating a ripple effect: The foundation’s impact has extended beyond the students they serve. Parents who were initially skeptical about sending their children to school have now recognized the importance of education and have started to actively participate in their children’s education. This has created a ripple effect in the community, and more children are now being sent to school.
Providing a sense of hope: The foundation’s work has provided a sense of hope to the children and their families. The students are exposed to new opportunities and are encouraged to dream big. The foundation aims to instill a sense of confidence and self-esteem in its students, which can lead to a brighter future.
Conclusion
The Behala Sneha Foundation is an organization that has made significant strides in providing free elementary education to underprivileged children. Their focus on holistic development, gender equality, and quality education has had a positive impact on society. The foundation has created a safe and inclusive learning environment that encourages community participation and promotes a sense of hope and possibility. Through its work, the Behala Sneha Foundation has shown that education can be a powerful tool in breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a brighter future for all.