Social group runs education programme for sex workers’ kids in Pune

Social organisation Jai Ganesh has taken up the task to teach children of sex workers (CSW) in Budhwar peth, Pune

PUNE Providing education in a manner that does not bore the child is the aim of volunteers of the Jai Ganesh social organisation, as they have taken up the task to teach children of sex workers (CSW) in Budhwar peth.

Twenty-five children currently attend the classes at a Gujarati school in Budhwar peth. (HT)

“Our first step is to give them basic knowledge, as many of them even find it hard to write and speak the English alphabet. The plan is to teach them via different ways, instead of only using a blackboard. The focus is on getting them involved in various activities where they can learn joyfully instead of mugging,” said Piyush Shah, a Jai Ganesh volunteer.

The three-hour session will be run in a Gujarati school in Budhwar peth, from Monday to Friday.

“Teaching these students is not the same as teaching urban children. Many basic etiquettes and manners need to be ingrained before we take them to the academic syllabus. Most of them are not used to sitting in one place, so bringing some educational games and explaining things is important,” said Vasudha Vadke, cultural head, Aaryans World School, Katraj.

Volunteers aim is to teach these children basic English in one year so they can perform small skits by June 2022.

“Activities-based education is very important, due to the socio-economic background of these children,” said Prasad Bhadsawale, a librarian.

“Teaching students in a natural environment and introducing them to colours by giving them various flowers in their hands or different colour stones will make learning activity interesting for them. We plan to design the academic syllabus in a unique way for these children,” said Sarika Agadnyan, a master of social work, and president of the Divya foundation.