Extending the Benefits of Education

In a slum near Kolkata, India, young children dream about their future. Eleven-year old Shaher wants to be a doctor. “I would like to work in the court,” says 10-year-old Imran. Thanks to the work of Hasnain Imam, a local teacher, these children now have access to basic education that can bring them that much closer to a successful future.

After returning home from an intensive in-service training program as part of the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program, Hasnain launched an innovative community education program in one of the most underserved areas of his city. He recruited bright and motivated 11th graders from his classroom — themselves the children of poor mill workers and laborers — to teach economically marginalized students at Talimi Haq (“Right to Education”), a non-formal learning center.

The community teacher model offers one means to address the dearth of educators serving India’s slums. After a series of trainings on non-formal education, including units on lesson planning and student motivation, the teen teachers began to work with the younger students at Talimi Haq. The children learn English, participate in art projects, and receive help with homework.

In addition to giving the younger children fundamentals in education, the initiative has benefited the volunteer community teachers as well. Not only has the program given Hasnain’s students practical teaching experience, it sensitizes them to their responsibility of becoming role-models for their community.

The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State.

The above story is featured in our 2010 Annual Report with the original version here.  With your support, we can continue to support teachers like Hasnain bring basic education to underserved areas of the world. Please consider making a gift online through our donation page.