Established: 2010
Number of students: 220
Number of teachers:10
Area: Kolkata
Kolkata is one of the world’s poorest and most polluted cities, with large slum areas.
In 2010, we had a dream come true to be able to provide schooling for children in the slums. We started with 50 school children and the number has gradually increased. There were several schools, and the largest of them had 300 pupils in 2019. The pupils were picked up every day by our school bus and taken to school. There they received 4 hours of teaching and a hot meal before being driven home.
From 2019, we have moved the school provision into five different slum areas, as it became easier for the children to get to school near where they live. It also became less expensive for us to operate. There are now 220 pupils in total at these schools. The remaining students have been given places in public schools in Kolkata. Grace English School (Kolkata) has provided school uniforms and books, so that the transition would not be too difficult.
Attendance at all five of our schools is completely free for all students. They are given uniforms, books and a meal every day.