Calcutta Rescue’s first school came into being in December 1989 – known as Number One School! We also have a second school adjacent to our largest Clinic at Tala Park. From these two educational bases, we operate both Non-Formal (younger children who are being educated in-house) and Formal (older students whose mainstream education is funded by CR in various government and private schools) Education Programmes. We are also co-operating with municipal government and other NGOs under the City Level Programme of Action.
At the start of the 2009/10 academic year, we are currently responsible for the education of over 500 children.
Number One School is housed in a small two-storied building (and when weather permits, there is a third storey in terms of the roof which is incorporated as teaching space) in the heart of the red light district in Nimtala, near Girish Park. At the beginning of this academic year (April 2009), this School has 90 Non-Formal/In-house School students together with 196 Formal/Mainstream School students plus 37 Boarding/Hostel School students (a total of 323 students altogether). An in-house Coaching Centre at the School has recently been incorporated.
This School is housed in an extension of our busy Tala Park Clinic and takes care of 183 students, 65 Non-Formal/In-House School children and 115 Formal/Mainstream School students, plus 3 Boarding/Hostel School students. In addition to the small premises attached to the Clinic, we have recently acquired a light and airy additional space (approx ten minutes walk away) that we are using as a Coaching Centre.
Medical Diagnosis & Treatment: Free treatment is given for disease, dressings for wounds, emergency care where necessary and referral to hospital if required.
Preventive Medicine: Children receive health education, de-worming and 6 monthly screenings to check general health and development, as well as a comprehensive immunisation programme (OPV, DPT, BCG & Measles).
Dentistry: A Dental Hygiene Programme (we have our own designated Dental Room at Number One School, following the generous donation of a dental chair and equipment) is in place. All children now brush their teeth daily at school, and a dental inspection occurs in house on a regular basis.
Benefits: All children receive two nutritionally balanced school meals, freshly prepared at school by our kitchen staff, plus a snack (usually fresh fruit) per day. Our Non-Formal students are provided with free clothing made by our Handicrafts Workshop from cloth that is spun and woven in our Weaving Projects. Mosquito nets, repellent, jumpers/sweaters, plastic sheeting, umbrellas, rain coats, light bulbs, candles and matches, etc. are also provided as required. Uniform, shoes, school supplies, school bags, stationery, books. dry food, soap, washing powder, toothpaste, etc., are also supplied.
Counselling: A counsellor visits regularly to address the emotional problems that burden many of our students.
School Extension Programme: As well as working with the children in the schools, outreach workers and teachers visit the slum areas monthly to talk to parents about the importance of their children attending school. As required, they also take this opportunity to stress the vital aspects of the health education programme delivered to their offspring.
Vocational Training: For various reasons, there are always one or two students who are unable to succeed academically. Following discussion with the student, the parents, the social worker and the APO, appropriate vocational training is organised … it could be driving school instruction, a beautician’s course, training at the Handicrafts Project, etc.
If you find yourself in Kolkata and would like to know a bit more about us and our work, do feel free to call to organise a guided tour of our two schools, time and resources permitting, to meet our pupils and staff and to see our work in action. To discuss this further e-mail educationalist@calcuttarescue.org or call +91 (0)33 22175 675.
