The Tamil Nadu Education Centres project has been running since 2014, with continuous funding from NZEI Te Riu Roa. This long-term commitment has allowed the Tamil Nadu Labour Union (TNLU) to develop and refine their approach to supporting Dalit and Tribal children’s education, creating sustained impact for these communities. The project is renewed annually, with each year building on previous successes and learnings.
The challenge
Dalit and Tribal workers in Tamil Nadu, India face entrenched caste-based discrimination that limits their opportunities and traps families in cycles of poverty. Their children encounter similar discrimination at school and often lack the resources and support needed to succeed academically. Without intervention, many children risk dropping out of school early, being forced into caste-based occupations, or—for girls—facing early marriage instead of pursuing higher education.
Objectives
The Evening Education Centres project aims to:
- Stop early school dropout among Dalit and Tribal children
- Enhance the standard of education for these children
- Prevent girls’ early marriage and encourage their higher education
- Address the disadvantage faced by Dalit and Tribal children
- Provide a safe, supportive and enjoyable learning environment
- Foster a positive attitude towards learning
Why this matters
Education is a powerful tool for breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty and discrimination. Dalit and Tribal parents who are members of unions and cooperatives organised by the Tamil Nadu Labour Union (TNLU) want their children to have opportunities they never had—to choose their own futures rather than being trapped in caste-based occupations and poverty. By supporting these children’s education, the project helps build a foundation for social mobility and economic independence.
Activities
The project operates 16 Evening Education Centres across different locations in Tamil Nadu. Each centre:
- Runs classes from 5:30-7:00pm, Monday to Saturday
- Provides homework support and builds on lessons taught in public schools
- Employs experienced tuition masters, often former students or university graduates
- Supplements lessons with writing poetry and stories on Dalit and Tribal history and culture
- Celebrates arts and culture on specific national holidays with art competitions and community plays
- Engages with regular school teachers and parents to identify areas needing additional support
- Focuses on communication, reading skills, writing, memory enhancement, mathematics, and basic sciences
Outcomes
As of March 2024, the project has achieved:
- 1,162 children regularly attending the centres (616 girls and 546 boys)
- Zero dropout rate among participating children
- 74 older children planning to pursue higher education (51 to college and 23 to technical courses)
- Increased participation in extracurricular activities
- Greater understanding of social issues including environmental protection, gender equality, and community health
- Improved self-confidence through discovery of hidden talents and skills
- Enhanced general knowledge through newspaper reading and debates
- Successful student-led advocacy for drinking water and toilet facilities
Impact
Since 2014, the Evening Education Centres project has provided thousands of Dalit and Tribal children with educational support, helping them overcome barriers to academic success. The centres have become safe havens where children can learn, play, and develop confidence in their abilities. For many children like Ajitha, whose story is featured in the 2023-24 report, the centres represent “the sweetest and happiest place” in their lives—a space where they can overcome social isolation and develop their potential.
The continued funding from NZEI Te Riu Roa has been vital in delivering positive outcomes for the Dalit and Tribal children and their families, creating pathways out of poverty and discrimination through education.
