India's Free Schools for Street Kids

ANCHOR:
Like many street children in Jakarta, Qodir makes a living collecting garbage in the
Indonesian capital. An elementary school diploma for him used to be just a dream, until he enrolled at a free school for street children.

STORY:
A group of activists have set up a makeshift school in one of Jakarta's crowded slums. It provides children and their parents with free
lessons and practical training like sewing and motorbike repairs.

In June last year, the school enrolled Qodir in the national examination for a junior high school. He says he plans to continue his school in an Islamic school.

Nanda Dian Nusantara School is located in one of Jakarta's crowded slums, with dozens of children attending the school from neighbouring areas.

Children sit on the floor and recite lessons twice a day, two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon.

[Elvrina Diyanti, Volunteer Teacher]:
"We adjusted the classes with their working hours after a discussion with students and their parents so that we can have more students in the class. We tried to make it very flexible."

Elvrina added that it is not easy to teach the children who only come to school when they can. They cannot stick to the syllabus and the teachers have to be more patient.

But for the students who could get an education at the school are very grateful.

[Qodir, School Student]:
"I am very happy that we have this school here, I hope it would be here forever."

The foundation also teaches illiterate parents to read and provides job training such as sewing, cooking and other skills so they can earn extra income. There are now hundreds of free schools for children and women across the country.

Category:

News & Politics

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• Indonesia
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• Jakarta