Teen Channel – Community Learning Centre Initiative

The Teen Channel program aims at reaching adolescents aged 13 – 18 years in particular the adolescents who are out of school, school drop outs and potential drop-outs. Through this program, CAP Foundation is providing a holistic education module for high school level academic certification with life skill modules and career exploration opportunities. The model is effectively addressing the issues affecting their quality of life and future in an enabling environment that addresses students learning needs – academic, vocational, and occupational. In the last four years, over 6000 adolescents have accessed the program with 76% completing elementary and high school State Board examination. CAP foundation is operating a total of 17 Teen channel learning centers. 10 centres in Hyderabad, 4 in Chennai, and 3 in NCR respectively. Teen channel this year made significant progress reaching 4716 adolescents and achieving 83% of pass percentage in class 10 exams. Apart of academics, sports, life skills education and library activities, students have gained an intensive exposure towards career exploration through industrial visits namely RKS Motors, Coco Cola, NIRD, and Pearls Inn. A Career Mela was organized in Hyderabad to provide an insight into different employment opportunities available.

Some highlights of Teen Channel Programme

• 3893 students appeared for 10th standard final examination and 3160 students cleared it successfully.
• 2066 students have joined Intermediate courses in different colleges.
• 590 students have joined vocational courses with CAP Foundation.

Out of School-Street and Working Children

CAP’s Teen Channel program, through Community Learning Centres, reaches out to the adolescents who opt out of school as well as potential drop-outs between the ages 14- 18 years by providing them opportunities and support for high school completion.

The program was designed to meet the learning requirements of the street and working children/adolescents. A Study and series of consultations conducted by CAP with these adolescents and their families identified major concerns affecting the education of this group as- economic compulsions of the family, lack of interest due to non-interactive classrooms, inadequacy of the education module to prepare them for future, lack of easy access to higher education facilities, sibling care and prevailing social- cultural issues like early girl child marriages and religious compulsions (especially for muslims). Based on the accelerated learning /bridge school model, community based Teen Channel centres facilitate learning in a flexible manner, at the convenience of the adolescents and the emphasis of the program is on self- learning at one’s own pace that enables them to learn as well as earn by engaging in non-exploitative family supporting part-time jobs.

The Teen Channel supports acquiring academic competencies for 10th class secondary school certification; Life skills; Basic Computer literacy; Spoken English; apprenticeship and part-time employment support; Pre Vocational Education for career exploration; Portfolios for Monitoring and guidance and recreational activities. Fpr the Teens this means,

Flexible timings; learning at one’s own pace and informed multiple options with space for participation and Duration ranging between 9 months to 2 years

The centres are linked to the nearest government schools for high school (tenth grade) public exams and CAP networks with the Education department to provide free text books and public exam fee exemption for the students. With support from Plan International, International Labour Organisation, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and USAID, the program is currently operational in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and National Capital Region of Delhi.

In all 8351 former school drop-outs have accessed Teen Channel program services with 76% students passing the 10th grade Secondary School Board certification examinations and 66% of them going ahead for further studies.Of these young adults, 49% are females. 68% of them are between the ages 14-16 and 31% between 16-18 years clearly focusing on early intervention among young adults. Interestingly, 40% of them are from Backward castes, 19% from scheduled castes and 7& from Scheduled Tribes making the majority of beneficiaries (63%) from very disadvantaged socio-cultural backgrounds) and with 72% of them coming from families Below Poverty Line.

Clearly teen Channel has proved to be the much needed program for very deprived and vulnerable young adults to access equal learning opportunities and potential positive livelihoods

Seema:

There is a close link between child labour and child trafficking; so far anti trafficking work is largely limited to child trafficking for commercial sex exploitation. However our experience and evidence from the field suggests that a large number of children are being trafficked for labour. The incidence of child trafficking for labour is hugely under reported. CAP has worked both in source and demand areas with a community based approach. Seema is one such the classic example.

Seema is from Sultanpuri North Delhi. Her Father Pooran Chand was a driver, and earned a meager amount of 3000/- Rupees per month. The family consists of 4 sons and 4 daughters. Three of the daughters have been married. Seema’s two brothers Virender and Pardeep fell into the traps of the evils of the society since their childhood. Virender studied up to fifth standard while Pradeep left his studies when he was in sixth class. Bad company and the vulnerable conditions of the society they were living in attracted these two boys and they started doing all kinds of anti social activities, they started taking liquor at a very tender age. Her Father the sole bread earner could not handle this daily fights and quarrel for money and was unable to satisfy his sons increasing demands he ultimately fell ill. Seema’s father had a severe stomach Pain. He was hospitalized and wad advised for an immediate operation. The family had no money to

take up this unexpected incident. The boys sold out the hard earned scooter in just 8000/- rupees.

Naresh the elder brother did not support the family, his wife never supported the joint family hence there were frequent quarrels regarding the money, She lodged a complaint to the police that Naresh had an indifferent attitude towards her and did not care for her and only takes care of family.This cruel nature of his wife compelled him to stop supporting his father and the rest of his family.

Seema was compelled to work as an unskilled worker in a garment manufacturing company at a very tender age of 14 years; cutting threads of the jeans which the company manufactured for a meager monthly wages of Rs.1000/-. Seema lost her childhood and she was forced to take to working when she should have been going to school and playing with other kids.

CAP foundation during the act of rescuingchild labourers from hazardous conditions under the National Child Labour Project co- supported by MSUP and ILO came across Seema working the factory, sitting in a corner quietly doing her job.

A lot of time had to be spent to convince her family to remove her from work and allow her to join EK Mouka employability Training program as it would enable her to acquire skills for better career opportunities.

After a lot of struggle, the CAP team finally succeeded. Seema got admitted into the ITES course after the interest inventory test. Computers had always attracted her, she dreamt of working on a computer but felt her dream will not get fulfilled. Therefore when she got the opportunity to learn computers, she grabbed it. During the training Life skills sessions very useful as they helped her build her confidence and communication skills. The sessions also emphasized on setting goals, and also addressed other issues like gender, values and perception of people. etc. Seema completed her three months training course successfully and emerged as a more confident and focused person ready to take on the challenge of facing the world and the conservative society in and around her.

After completion of her course, Seema got an opportunity to work as a Computer instructor in BAL SARASWATI VIDYALAYA (a school) on an initial salary of Rs.2000/- per month. Continuing her job there, she is now earning Rs.4000/-per month. She has also enrolled herself in to graduation through Open University. She says “The journey has been quite exciting and satisfying after Ek Mouka came to her”

Her father is no more in this world but Seema dreams to make it big someday.

Manish sharma:

Mr. Manish is from a poor family who migrated from Bihar. He is one of ten children in a family struggling to make ends meet. He wanted to study but his brother pushed him in to an iron factory for the want of money. He was in his 9th standard when he had to stop his education.

He declares,”I wanted to work and study but my manager never allowed me to go, my brother used to leave me at the factory and the gate closed once he left and only opened after 10-12 hours of work. During these dark days of my life came a glimmer of hope through CAP Foundation team. The team came to our factory they spoke with factory owners, I could not understand till date what they spoke inside but when they came out they asked me “Padhayi Karoge”, I said yes. They took me from there to my home and discussed with my parents and brother. I was thrilled when my brother said from tomorrow you need not go to the factory, go to the training centre. I was thrilled to hear this. I hated that factory. “ “Going to the Ek Mouka training centre has changed my life, I learnt many things and made friends,” says Manish “But what I like most

was my facilitator, because he listened to me and is very loving.”

“Computers had always attracted me, I completed my course in ITES and was offered a first job in India Infoline as field executive for Rs.4000/-. I worked for 8 months and then moved to Tata indicom for better prospects. I kept on learning designing in photo shop, and coral draw. Then I got an opportunity in Shivalaya arts as DTP operator”.

Manish designs the sign boards, pamphlets, and digital prints on Photoshop and coral design; He installs the software on the printer. He then transfers the design for printing of flex material.

“I am now what I wanted to be – a full time designer earning 8000/- . My brother is happy now and often apologizes for pushing me into the four walls of the Iron factory.”

“My entire family is indebted to CAP for pulling me out from child labor and giving me education and training. I would like to help other families by educating about the difficulties and mental trauma a child goes through if he/she is pushed to work during young tender age”.

MD. Javed:

I am Md. Javeed. 20 years old. We are 5 members in my family. My father sk.saleem is 50 years old and earns 3000 per month. He is an illiterate. My mother Nagma begum aged 46 years is a house wife. My elder brother is a painter; he separated from the family after marriage. My sister goes to Madrasa.

When my elder brother got separated from the family I dropped out of school in 6th class. Due to families poor economic condition my family put me in to work. I was not interested in work. I wanted to go to school. I was also more interested in dancing. From childhood I used to watch dance shows on television and go for only movies with lot of dances. One day CAP Teen Channel facilitators came in to our area and approached my family and told about the continuing education plan and then enrolling into vocational college. They convinced my father to remove me from work and admit into the teen channel program. I was thrilled on getting the admission. I attended life skill classes and got back my interest to study and started attending the classes regularly. Teen Channel built confidence in me and nurtured my dancing talent; I use to go to film shootings at places like the film city, lumbini park,

Rabindrabharthi etc., I also started performing at many dance shows. Then I took free coaching classes from Satish master and then from Madam Saroj Khan. By doing this part time, I completed my SSC – high school in the year 2007-2008.

Presently I and my partner have a dance institute at chintal. I have trained 200 dancers. I have performed many TV dance shows like AATA, ‘D’, and Dance India Dance. At the same time I am working as a Choreographer in Pogo channel for Robert program by earning Rs. 20,000/- per month.

I am thankful to CAP for bringing me back to school, fueling and igniting my childhood dream of becoming a dancer. I have realized that dream and hope to become a choreographer of national acclaim.

P. Vijay vani:

“I am P. Vijaya Vani, 20 years old. When I was studying in 8th standard I had an accident and my hand was fractured. Because of the complexity of the fracture I had to go through two operations. This was a big blow on my studies. Due to the lack of attendance Iwas removed from the school and hostel. This was a double blow for me. The pain of the fracture and the depression I got due to loss of my studies made me sad. There was no school left in the town where I did not go with a request to let me continue my studies but was rejected by every one as it was middle of the school cycle. I had to stay at home for that year.

I heard about Teen Channel program from CAP Foundation through one of my friends. That was my last hope. I went there and told them about myself and they gave me admission. It was the happiest moment of my life.” She did her best with the help of the Facilitators and passed 10th standard and achieved 515 out of 600 marks in 2007. After that she completed intermediate with 95% marks in MPC group. It was a moment of pride and achievement for this daughter of a watch man. She says this result was possible only due to the concentrated efforts of her facilitators. Now I am Pursuing B.Tech I year in Institute of Engineering and Management.

My father Krishna P. works as watch man and earns only Rs.4000 per month.My mother P. Devayani is a house wife, she studied till 6th class. My elder brother Sai Ram has completed 10th and doing apprenticeship in HMT. My elder sister Vinaya Vani and my younger brother Sai Kiran both completed intermediate. This is also because of Teen channel and CAP foundation.

This is an amazing story of a girl who fought all odds and came out winner; she has proved that dedication and sincere efforts will definitely give results.

P. Vanitha:

Vanitha is daughter of P. Ramakrishna Raju, a farmer of Gangala Palem Village of West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The family migrated to Hyderabad due to financial debts. For this reason, Vanitha had dropped out of school in 7th class. Her father being an illiterate he landed a job as a helper with very low salary. Vanitha was forced to join a local workshop as daily wage employ for Rs.600/- per month and worked for 2 years there.

She came across Teen Channel team during the mobilization program. She spoke with the facilitators and saw an opportunity to continue her education. However, as she had to support her family with her meager earnings, she was unable to discontinue her work. Taking the plunge and after receiving necessary support from the facilitators at the Teen Channel Center in convincing her parents, Vanitha enrolled in class 10th standard for the morning batch from 6:00 am to 8:30.and completed the 10th standard in first class. She says, “I could not believe that I had got first class, this was wonderful”. She got more salary now in the factory as she had cleared 10th and her salary was increased to Rs.1000/- month. Continuing to work and support her family, Vanitha then enrolled into the computer science course through CAP Vocational College and completed 12th standard with a Distinction.

She has now changed her job after clearing her plus two and taken up the placement in Expert Security Service as a typist and is earning Rs 5000/- per month. Being the highest earning member in her family, she now supports her family , has helped clear the family’s debts and is planning to continue her education as well.

She cries when ever she recollects those days of her childhood labor and acknowledges the efforts of CAP and the facilitators for bringing this change to her life.

Ravi Kumar:

Ravi Kumar is the eldest son from a big family of nine members. His father is running a petty business in the slums of Sultanpuri, New Delhi. With great difficulty Ravi could manage to study up to 10th STD. He was forced to work as soon as he completed 10th, but he never liked that. He was rescued from a leather factory where he was working as a child worker by CAP team during its intervention of child labor eradication in partnership with ILO in the slums of Sultanpuri which is rehabilitation colony. He joined the Teen Channel program, and was admitted into ITes course learning computer operations and networking, besides Life Skills and Spoken English.

After completion of the training he was offered an opportunity at India Info line as a Tele-Caller on a salary of Rs.4500. After working for 6 months, on his father’s advice, he resigned from his post and started helping his father in his small business. Neither the business was giving him enough income nor was he happy there. So he started a Computer Training Centre in the same location by hiring computers from his savings. The institute also did not give him enough to live a satisfied life. During this period he did an additional hardware and networking course. He finally joined as a DSL Engineer for Airtel based on his IT skills and working knowledge on computers and is earning a handsome salary of 14500/- per month.

Now at 21, Ravi recalls the hazardous conditions that he used to live during his days with the leather factory and compares them with the working conditions at Airtel. He says “had it not been CAP I would have ended up in the same factory for my whole life”

As a DSL Engineer his primary job is to install Airtel internet software on to the subscriber’s desk top or Laptop. He fixes the Wi-Fi, installs the internet software, enters the IP address and starts the internet for the customer, at the customer’s place.

This is what Ravi’s facilitators have to say of him:- “Ravi is one of the best Alumni of Sultanpuri centre because of his way of talking and respect he gives to others. He has good leadship qualities and was proactive in all group activities in the class room. Due to his good communication he always attracts people. He never hesitates to take risk in his life. He is self motivated and is able to motivate others.”

Ravi is also pursuing his 12th standard from National Open School now. He says he would some day become software engineer.