PRE-VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION FOR SLUM CHILDREN COMPLETES TWO YEARS
The
centre is called Titli - meaning butterfly. It is a child-to-child
project which has been running since 1995. Students of classes
8 and 9 of St. Xavier’s School take turns to teach their
lesser privileged neighbours residing in the slums close
to the school. Titli, the dream project of Father Bruylants,
the previous Headmaster of St. Xavier’s School, has gained
widespread popularity over the years and has also won several
awards. Vikramshila has been in charge of the overall management
of the programme since its inception. The students of Titli
have gained immensely in terms of enhanced self-image and
self confidence by being part of a premier educational institution
of the city and by participating jointly in sports and other
cultural events of the school.
About
two years back, we had a concern that this exposure should
not alienate them from their own social milieu. Hence we
had this idea of introducing a concept of pre-vocational
education which would establish a link between the world
of knowledge and the world of work. The idea behind this
project was that when the children complete their studies
here at the age of 14, they would be equipped psychologically
and practically to take up some vocational course suited
to their aptitude. This does not mean that we had any intention
of blocking their upward social mobility – because quite
a few students from Titli have been admitted to mainstream
schools including St. Xavier’s. But, we felt we had to do
something for those who could not make it to the formal
system.
The
children graduate from Titli with a broad exposure to various
vocational activities like carpentry, tailoring, craft work
and banner writing to help them develop a positive attitude
towards all kinds of work. After completing Titli they still
have an option to continue their studies through the "Night
School" at St. Xavier’s or the National Open School. Through
academics and pre-vocational inputs the children are given
a wide exposure to the world around them. That is why they
are so enthusiastic about everything they learn.
