Education for the children of Dalit and Tribal workers

UnionAID’s cooperative and union building project in Tamil Nadu, will also provide evening education centres for the children of workers.  These centres are being funded by NZEI TE Riu Roa.

Dalit and Tribal children often face caste based discrimination in public schools and many lack the resources to study at home.  Drop-out rates for Dalit and Tribal children are almost double the national average.

To ensure children of workers in UnionAID’s cooperative and union building projects have the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment our partners the Tamil Nadu Labour Union is establishing 6 evening education centres with part-time teachers.  Classes each evening will teach Dalit and Tribal history and culture, life skills and also provide homework support. It is estimated 200 children will attend the various centres each evening.

The initiative to establish these centres is testament to Tamil Nadu Labour Union’s community-wide approach to development. The power of education to overcome discrimination and create opportunity is exemplified by the Tamil Nadu Labour Union’s founder Edward Arockia Doss.  He studied by street light to become a lawyer and spent his life advocating for Dalit rights.