Education

Education is essential for social and cultural progress, improving individuals' welfare. Many poor families, especially Dalits, live in rural areas and work as daily wage earners or agricultural laborers. Their literacy rates are low, and dropout rates are high.

Children from these marginalized communities face barriers like caste discrimination and long distances to schools, which often exceed 3 kilometers. Girls are particularly at risk due to social mobility limitations and exploitation risks, preventing them from completing their education.

These challenges perpetuate a cycle of disadvantage, limiting opportunities for a better future. Schools in these areas lack modern teaching methods and are understaffed, failing to provide adequate education.

To create a more inclusive society, we must support the education of poor children, ensuring they have access to quality learning and opportunities for personal growth.

Current Condition of Primary School Classrooms in Rural Villages of Andhra Pradesh

During my recent trip to India, I visited a rural primary school serving grades 1 through 5. The visit was eye-opening, as I witnessed firsthand how unfortunate the children are, lacking even the most basic facilities that could help advance their learning. The conditions were deeply troubling:

Lack of Basic Facilities: The classrooms are devoid of modern teaching tools like projectors, computers, or even adequate textbooks. Teachers have no choice but to rely on outdated methods.
No Proper Seating: Students are compelled to sit on the bare floor because there are no benches or desks, making it uncomfortable and difficult for them to concentrate.
Overcrowded Classrooms: Due to a shortage of space and teachers, different grades, such as 5th grade in the office room, 1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th, are combined into a single classroom, leading to confusion and a poor learning environment.
Poor Infrastructure: The classrooms are in a deplorable state, with crumbling walls, broken windows, and little to no maintenance. This creates an unsafe and uncomfortable atmosphere for the children.
Neglect and Underinvestment: The schools have been neglected for years, with minimal support from the government or the community, leaving the children with almost no opportunity to improve their education.
Children's Plight: These poor conditions leave the children struggling to focus, learn, and dream of a better future, trapped in an environment that fails to support their growth or development.

Scholarships:

Scholarships are vital in removing financial barriers to education, supporting students through their educational journey with tuition, books, and transportation assistance, and additional learning opportunities.
We offer annual scholarships for college and other higher education students specifically to the poor and marginalized communities.

Providing the Essentials:

In the marginalized families, with the financial burdens many families face, the costs of uniforms, books, and sometimes even tuition can be insurmountable. Cornerstone Foundation ensures that children receive essentials like uniforms, and books. By providing these necessities, we prevent children from falling behind or dropping out due to lack of resources.