PhD scholar’s initiative transforms lives of migrant workers’ children in Sirsa; CDLU lends support

Anil Kakkar

Sirsa, August 12

In 2013, while pursuing her PhD studies at Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Dr Rekha Rani noticed a group of children wandering aimlessly around the campus. These children belonged to migrant workers who had come to the university to construct buildings. With their parents busy working all day, children were left without supervision and had no access to education.

Moved by their plight, Dr Rekha decided to take action. She founded the STEP organisation (Social Transformation and Education Potential) and began to provide free education to these children. She took help of her fellow PhD scholars and together, they started teaching children on the construction sites where their parents worked.

Initially, Dr Rekha and her team held classes for children in under-construction buildings. They taught them from 3 pm to 5 pm every day. As the initiative gained momentum, Dr Rekha and her team started taking classes in a park outside the university library.

Their effort caught the attention of the then CDLU Vice-Chancellor Prof Vijay Kayat, who was apprised about the initiative by university’s librarian Prof Pankaj Sharma. Impressed by dedication of Dr Rekha and her team, Prof Kayat extended support to the initiative.

The current CDLU Vice-Chancellor Prof Ajmer Malik has further supported the initiative by providing space to hold classes for children in the university’s shopping complex. Dr Rekha describes this as the most significant contribution to their cause. Now, the STEP initiative has enrolled children from nearby colonies including Bata Colony, Prem Nagar, Chattar Ghar Patti, Ram Colony and the Police Lines. Even students from nearby private schools attend classes held under the initiative.

Over the past 11 years, at least 55 to 60 children of grade 1 to grade 12 have received free education through STEP. PhD scholars Navneet, Kanishka and Neha are among those who have volunteered to teach children.

Besides, CDLU professors, non-teaching staff and local donors like Aman Bansal from the city’s grain market have consistently supported the initiative by providing essential supplies like stationery, school bags, uniforms and shoes for children.

Dr Rekha recalls the initial challenges when parents were hesitant to send their children to study fearing for their safety. The children, too, were initially reluctant. To win their trust, Dr Rekha and her team offered small incentives such as chocolates, snacks and clothes to kids. Gradually, children began to feel more comfortable and started showing interest in their studies. Now, children eagerly attend classes and often arrive before the scheduled time.

Many of these children, who once roamed aimlessly around the campus, have managed to get admission in institutions such as ITI, polytechnic, National College, and Women’s College. The STEP initiative, which started with just a handful of children, has now become a beacon of hope for many underprivileged children in the area and provides them education they need to build a better future.